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Timing chain tensioner wear

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Darrell_Walker

Darrell_Walker

Jedi Knight
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Does this look like typical wear for the timing chain tensioner after a few thousand miles? The grooves are deep enough to feel.

-Darrell
 

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Seems excessive to me. I've removed tensioners with nearly 100,000 on them that didn't look any worse than that.
 
TR3driver said:
Seems excessive to me. I've removed tensioners with nearly 100,000 on them that didn't look any worse than that.
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That's what I thought. It was a new chain as well, I wonder if there is some wearing in that happens? Anyway, I guess I'd better replace it. I was hoping to get the cover back on over the long weekend, but I'd rather not be pulling it again anytime soon!
 
I'd look the chain over carefully too, for sharp edges where it rides against the tensioner. The area looks kind of dry, too, unless you washed it all down with solvent before taking the photo. It should have all been dripping with oil when you took it apart. Might be you've got a lubrication problem. As I recall, there should be grooves in the front cam journal and holes in the bearing that lead out to the backside of the cam gear, which in turn has holes to let the oil flow to the timing chain.
 

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TR3driver said:
I'd look the chain over carefully too, for sharp edges where it rides against the tensioner. The area looks kind of dry, too, unless you washed it all down with solvent before taking the photo. It should have all been dripping with oil when you took it apart. Might be you've got a lubrication problem. As I recall, there should be grooves in the front cam journal and holes in the bearing that lead out to the backside of the cam gear, which in turn has holes to let the oil flow to the timing chain.
Click to expand...

Thanks, Randall. I'll check that too. It is a bit oilier than it looks, but not dripping. But the engine hasn't been run for a few months, either.

-Darrell
 
Other than probably making a mess, should I be concerned by testing this with cranking the engine with the timing cover off? Any idea if I should be seeing oil dribbling out, shooting out, or somewhere in between?
 
I need to say first 'I don't know'... and then this is my thought. Most engine rebuilds include pressurizing the oil galley with a drill on a key tool in the distributor shaft hole before first starting. I've done that and it's not very messy.
 
OK, I put the battery back in and cranked the engine. Got oil flowing out of the holes in the cam sprocket, so I don't think it is a lubrication issue. Made a puddle of oil on the frame cross member, but not much else mess-wise.

I examined the chain (visually and by feel) and it doesn't have any rough spots, nor does it appear worn at all. In fact, the edges of the links look brand new. Maybe I got a bad tensioner, I don't know. I ordered a new one from BPNW, which with the cooperation of the postal service should arrive tomorrow.

If anyone has any other ideas of things to check while I've got it opened up, let me know.
 
I changed my timing chain tensioner at 80,350 miles from new on my 1958 TR3A. After that, I had the engine out about every 40,000 miles since then and I find the same wear as you show. But, like you, I replace it while it's all apart anyway. Once the timing chain tensioner was worn half way through after 40,000 miles and I can remember someone on a forun showing where his was worn right through. After 50 years, I suppose there are some items that are sub-quality.

Don Elliott, Original Owner, 1958 TR3A
 
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