Cam Chain Tensioner Mystery...

[Pomorza]

Hey mate

I do have one question. For my understanding the tensioner is not supposed to have ANY slack during the first install. Looking at your picture with the chain I can see there's a bit of room there. Was this the way you finally installed it? Am I wrong here guys?

Thanks

Jan

[rossiz]

with the new chain guides, tensioner, chain & sprockets in place there is no slack - not horribly tight, just firm. i was able to lift the cam sprocket into place with no drama, then i adjusted the slack-side guide to get the top tangent with the chain, then installed the tensioner and it's basically right up against its housing - not jammed in, just set to provide full travel against the chain as things wear in.

[Diseazd]

Looks perfect rossiz ........you did good!

[rossiz]

aw shucks.

funny thing is, my original plan was to buy a spare engine, rebuild it over time in my garage on a stand, then do a weekend swap.

at this point though, i've done everything but the block while it's in the car! down the road i might prep a block with a set of big-bore flat tops and lightened rods, then swap it out with all the new stuff that's on my current engine.

but that's down the road... i'm really loving what i've got right now, can't believe how much fun this thing is to drive! it makes a fantastic sound above 4K and pulls hard all the way up to 5,500K plus.

i'm happy.