Mechanical chain tensioner adjustment, how tight?

[mike911]

I dropped the engine with the help of a friend last week, wanted to inspect & address any potential issues and do a little clean-up. One area of concern were the chain tensioners, I had no idea what condition they might be in so it made sense to have a look.

Once we pulled the covers it became obvious that someone had installed mechanical tensioners. The left side appears to have good tension, not too tight and not too loose. The right side appears to have a bit of slack.

Is there a spec for the tension, how tight is too tight or not tight enough?

Any help is as always, appreciated.
Thanks,
Mike

left side


right side

[Jim Breazeale]

There is no spec that I am aware of. I would remove them and install correct tensioners. Those chains grow and contract with RPM so a mechanical tensioner can only be adjusted for the optimum tension at one very specific RPM. Kind of like a stopped watch. It tells the time correctly once a day.

Regards

Jim
Note: I am not a Factory Trained Mechanic

[Frank Beck]

HERE
WE
GO
AGAIN.

We've been using mech tensioners for 40 years on street cars. Absolutely nothing wrong with them. 50k miles easy in between adjustments. Myths about them causing the pins to come loose in the chain housings? Newsflash: Pins come loose in mag housings no matter what.

Tension is a "feel" thing.

(Reseal those chain guide bolts while the covers are off; especially the right side lower two. And replace those cheap paper gaskets with graphited asbestos.)

[Jim Breazeale]

There you go. Two differing opinions. One from a Junk Yard Operator and one from an active, experienced, competent, Porsche Repair Shop Owner. Who do you trust?

Ciao

Jim

[911quest]

Who do you trust?

Ciao

Jim

The internet....

[gled49]

+1 for Jim.

[Frank Beck]

+1 for Jim.

+1 for Tony.

Advice based on anything but personal experience is generally corrupt.

[Jim Breazeale]

+1 for Tony.

Advice based on anything but personal experience is generally corrupt.

What makes you think that personal experience isn't corrupt, either?

Ciao

Jim

[Frank Beck]

Never said personal experience couldn't be as well. lol

But if my doc gives me advice based on his proven and time tested medical expertise I'm more than likely going to listen to him before I assume something else is true that I've read somewhere.

[304065]

Nice-looking 901/01 Solex motor! (Wobble pump cam nut on the left cam a dead giveaway - other tells are the valve cover and seven-bolt cam box lid, and the original temperature sender. . . hang on to that one!)

Chains, at least not Iwis timing chains, don't "stretch." When slack in the chains develops it is a result of wear of the links and sprockets. Nor do the chains vary in length due to the RPM of the engine-- the tensioners are present to maintain tension on the chain as it wears over time (not much!) and to accomodate the change in width of the engine as it heats up. Pretty simple and why you don't want to use solid tensioners for very long.