Cam Chain Tensioner Question

[Call_Me_crazy]

I have my heads in the shop being rebuilt and I was informed that my tensioner’s were worn beyond there usefulness, After a little looking I sourced these used units form a vendor, I just wanted to ask if these units look excessively worn for a set of used tensioners, I was told they were from a very low mileage engine and they would be almost perfect, I am asking this because I don’t really have a reference point to judge the amount of wear. I’ve never seen a set before other than the ones from my heads and they didn’t seem to be to much worse than these. Was hoping someone with more knowledge on the subject could give me an opinion?

 

[NotSoSlowSHO]

those look very good

If I were you, I would take them apart and clean them prior to install. one of the primary reasons they do were out prematurely is becasue they get gummed up with crud.

Try a search on the forum, there is info somewhere about how to take them apart and clean them. I seem to remember it being posted by forum member jelloslug.

 

[SHOtimer]

Those look fine. I would take them apart and clean them thorougly (I did this with mine, makes them like new) and you should be good to go.

Doug

 

[Call_Me_crazy]

thanks for the responces, Yes they are going to get taken apart cleaned thurly and even media blasted befor they go back on the heads. cant wait to get the engine back together!

 

[AREA 91]

The main wear that I look for is on the head (the plastic piece). I have seen them with the groves completely worn/chipped away. The set you posted pic's of are nice. If your old set still has good plastic heads, you can re-use them.

 

[Call_Me_crazy]

Took these to the machinist today he tells me these are far worse than the ones i already have and he doesnt want to use either set! The ones i had are eating up the chains and hes concerned that they will eat the new chains up as well and limit the life of the heads! Can anyone show me a picture of what these things look like new! It would be extremely helpfull if someone can tell me if they are supposed to have the grooves in them already and how deep the grooves are when new! I cant find these things NEW anywhere and i am going to start looking into to having new heads made out of phenolic if i cant get them! man i am getting stressed!

 

[AREA 91]

From what I remember, they aren't much thicker new, than the one's pictured above. I don't see the problem using the one's above. Run them as is. Don't worry about the machinist.

 

[SHOtimer]

Brand new they don't have any grooves at all. Their is a company that bought a ton of them from Ford when they became discontinued. They want $150 per tensioner for them. That is about a $100 mark up from what Ford originally wanted for them.....if you do a search you will probably come up with the company name and number.

The tensioners pictured in this thread look great...they have a ton of life left in them. That whole pad is made to wear down and yours is barely grooved. It won't damage anything untill it is down to the metal, which as you can see is a good quarter inch below where they are at now.

Doug

 

[Racer X]

Dude, that's not worn.

These are getting worn...


Front Tensioner

 

[Call_Me_crazy]

fORD PERFORMANCE SPECIALIST $190 EASH + 150 CORE + SHIPPING!

I FEEL LIKE I JUST GOT ASS ***** BY A GORILLA!

 

[SHOtimer]

HA! You wouldn't catch me paying anything close to that when I can pull a good set out of a junkyard motor. The ones pictured in this thread are fine - your throwing your money away not to use them.

Doug

 

[Call_Me_crazy]

you got it!

Just incase anybody was in dought that they exist. The illusive and ridiculously expensive, brand spankin and perfectly new, still in the baggy, fresh out the FORD box, commin at so fresh and so clean I give you Cam Tensioners!!!!!!!!

CAN YOU DIG IT!!!:shakehead

Is it hot in here or is it just me?

 

[AREA 91]

OH SNAP!!!! That's HOT! Me likes. For that price, I'd where them around my neck, yo.