Mecanical vs Hydraulic tensioner

[Xavier PJB]

Greetings,

am running a 2.0S MY1968 with original tensioners. I wonder if I keep the original system, or should I upgrade to better version of the mechanical ones (Stomsky?) or go hydraulic ?

Please share your thoughts with me.

X

[xpensivewino]

Some of your choice may depend on what you do with your car. If it’s a race engine that will be rebuilt or serviced regularly then the tensioner type could vary. If it’s a street engine, then I always default to what Porsche developed for longevity and to fix design flaws, and that was the hydraulic pressure fed system.

[tom1394racing]

If you’re interested in maintaining the original look, you could go with the later style wide bushed idler arms and the 930 type tensioners with guards. Pretty bulletproof and maintains the original look.

[Xavier PJB]

I use my swb on street/rallyes (closed roads) and some track days.

Yes I would like to retain original look. 930 tensioners might be a good option - there are several types of 930 it seems - any references please ?

Cheers

[Richy]

I would follow Tom's advice . Is it an early car with aluminum timing chain housings and covers ? If it is you are not using pressure fed tensioners .

[Xavier PJB]

I'll remove the cover and see what is in. I have made a serious research on the board and there are debates (and good laugh) since 2001 on Mech vs Hyd.

[edmayo]

If you already have solid tensioners then you need to know that, as they will require frequent adjustment checks as they don't compensate for chain wear and stretch. Tom's suggestion is the best set up.

[Alaskan911]

If you already have solid tensioners then you need to know that, as they will require frequent adjustment checks as they don't compensate for chain wear and stretch. Tom's suggestion is the best set up.

I will also be facing this dilemma as I get further along in my rebuild. I want to retain the original look, and as such has been also suggested to me to use the 930 type tensioners.

When I took the motor apart, my father had installed Hoeptner Mechanical tensioners the last time he rebuilt the motor. Ed, would it be an smart option for me to re- use the Hoeptner tensioners, or should I just go ahead and stick with the 930 upgrade?

Thanks all for your help.

Josh

[edmayo]

If you have the Hoeptner tensioner absolutely use them. In my opinion that was the best tensioner solution. I wish Porsche had come up with them. As it turned out it took an engineering student's project to invent them. I have them on a couple of my engines, when they were available we mostly exclusively used them. They can be a little tricky to disassemble and reset but well worth it in the end. In lieu of those we use the "930" tensioner, refilled with 60 wt. oil, wide based idler arms, and safety collars. Those have been very reliable.

[gled49]

+1 for 930 tensioners and wide idler arms. Make sure idler sprockets have bushings.