TR2/3/3A TR2/3/4 timing chain tensioner

[eschneider]

I ve seen 3 front mounting plates with a groove worn by the tensioner now.

This one seems to have been caused by the front of the timing chain cover being smashed inwards.

Question #1 - is it just my luck, or are they all like this? I've been filling the grooves with hard bearing solder and filing them flat.

Question #2 - no photo, but the inside of the timing chain covers are always worn where the tensioner rides. Does anyone do anything to repair these? I've been simply smoothing any sharp edges and re-installing.....

 

[eschneider]

here's the timing cover - this one is worse than normal - if you look closely you can see where the timing cover was bonked.

 

[TR3driver]

Mine haven't been nearly so bad, and I just left them alone.

The tensioner moves a bit every time a link goes by, so it is eventually going to wear whatever it is rubbing on. Obviously it rubs directly on the timing cover, so not much to do about that (except use high quality oil and keep it clean/changed).

My theory is that the side of the timing cover is not perfectly parallel to the tensioner mount post "as installed" and hence the tensioner runs at a slight angle, which is what forces it into the front plate. But I've never worried about it enough to try to fix it or even try to verify that theory.

It's curious though that your timing cover shows two different marks. Any theories as to how that happened ?

 

[vivdownunder]

With photo #1, that score made by the chain tensioner is quite common.

We fill it with weld and grind down smooth, as the weld provides a much harder surface which tends not to score again.

Viv.

 

[eschneider]

Thanks for all the input guys. I'll sleep better.

We fill it with weld and grind down smooth, as the weld provides a much harder surface which tends not to score again.

If I attacked these with a MIG, they would get all warp-y in a big hurry. Guess I could put them in a shallow pan of water, but.... hard bearing solder is doing the trick, I think. Won't know for sure until I tear one of my jobs apart in 20K miles.