Topic: timing chain tensioner

[Junior84]

two days ago I replaced my busted stock timing chain guides with DOA metal backed guides, and my severely broken tensionerwith another stock one. I drove it for a day and then checked my valves, and saw that my tensioner had broken again and was jammed up by my camgear. It keeps getting overextended and flying off. I have an LCE adjustable cam gear that is advanced about 6 degrees, and my timing chain seems in good condition. I'm not sure what the problem is. When I installed the tensioner, there was still about a half inch of slack on the passenger side and it barely touched the tensioner fully extended. but the Yota manual reads that such is okay. However, the DOA chain guides came with a paper that reads the chain should be very tight especially with the new guides. What am I doing wrong?

[79coyotefrg]

you need a new chain, that one is stretched

also i HIGHLY recommend a TOYOTA tensioner

[Junior84 [OP]]

from the dealership?

[Junior84 [OP]]

and when I install the tensioner again, do I leave it extended, or do I compress it somehow?

[79coyotefrg]

and when I install the tensioner again, do I leave it extended, or do I compress it somehow?

from the dealer

and how the heck do you get the chain on if you dont compress the tensioner    if its that stretched im surprised it runs at all

[Junior84 [OP]]

well christ it must be stretched to hell then. there was slack with the tensioner completely extended. Im getting everything today. Time to pull an all nighter. Thanks for all the info

[Wermz84]

Good job on wording your question Jr.  I'm glad you decided to get wisdom from the board on this one..   That was a total bummer when I got to your house yesterday and part of the new tensioner was out..


   Here is what the tensioner looked like when we first opened it..   

[olivedrab85]

probably a little loud!  My tensioner had a stop on it so it couldn't over extend like that, what kind of tensioner is that?

[Junior84 [OP]]

the standard stock one auto stores carry. Its not OEM, I know that much.And yeah, had quite a tick/chirp thing going on.

[Wermz84]

Loud!!

Not to mention getting that worn off bolt head was fun!       the t-chain was running right over the top of it..

[olivedrab85]

Doing a timing chain twice sucks, I had to do mine twice cause the tensioner in my NEW kit was bad. (wouldn't pump up) I'm sure you guys will get it right this time. 

[79coyotefrg]

let me tell ya from experience,  its better to use a old oem tensioner than one from autozone

[Junior84 [OP]]

okay, im  . Bought a new chain today, and its the same length! I need like one less link in the  chain. with the tensioner all the way extended, there is still slack. Is there a difference between an 84 block and an 86 as far as chain length go? im so lost.

[79coyotefrg]

okay, im  . Bought a new chain today, and its the same length! I need like one less link in the  chain. with the tensioner all the way extended, there is still slack. Is there a difference between an 84 block and an 86 as far as chain length go? im so lost.

yes there is a difference  and stop the bad language

what block do you have??

[79coyotefrg]

let me guess you have a 86 block and a 84 head

[Junior84 [OP]]

sorry about the language, bad mood kicked in.
and even worse, I made a massive nube mistake. I have an 84 truck with 84 accessories. But the long block is an 86, and I didnt do my research to discover that 85 and beyond the block was shortened to 8.930" as apposed to the previous 9.120". I bought the wrong timing chain today and since the rebuild 6 months ago it miraculously has been running with the '84 chain.
 60$ well spent on being a nube.

[79coyotefrg]

sorry about the language, bad mood kicked in.
and even worse, I made a massive nube mistake. I have an 84 truck with 84 accessories. But the long block is an 86, and I didnt do my research to discover that 85 and beyond the block was shortened to 8.930" as apposed to the previous 9.120". I bought the wrong timing chain today and since the rebuild 6 months ago it miraculously has been running with the '84 chain.
 60$ well spent on being a nube.

not sure where that measurement is from but yes the 84 and older block had a 11.280 deck, pan to head

the 85 and up,  or "laser" blocks are 11.080 inches pan to head

your asseccories are fine, but you need a 85 plus  head and timing chain

[Junior84 [OP]]

found the specs at LCE. Head and Crankcase are both 86. Just need the timing chain. I learned my lesson today.

[Wermz84]

sorry about the language, bad mood kicked in.

    come on now junior.


Thanks for your help here Glen..

[79coyotefrg]

anytime  i knew he was P O ed

[79coyotefrg]

got that new chain on yet

[RCKSQRL]

the standard stock one auto stores carry. Its not OEM, I know that much.And yeah, had quite a tick/chirp thing going on.

not to hijack but-

the tick chirp you had was it constant or did it come and go?
I have a noise I can't locate on my '85 that comes and goes, isn't one of my accessories seems to be at about 2000 rpm primarily. Mechanic didn't think it sounded like the chain.......

thanks

[subliminaltrips]

also be careful not to overtighten the tensioner, engnbldr reccomends 12 ft lbs max on his tensioner, not sure about the others but 12 is plenty.

[Junior84 [OP]]

yeah, got the chain on and she's running. But its leaking from the head gasket. Time to tear the whole thing apart again.And the head. And to answer your question maggot, yes it came and went. And it doesn't sound like the chain. If you take off the oil cap while its running, it almost sounds like you need a valve adjustment.