Timing chain tensioners

[jaguar68]

Hi chaps,

How do you keep/locate the front timing chain tensioner to the camshaft pulley?

Regards

John

[bmcecosse]

What tensioner ? The useless rubber rings ?? If so - they fit in the grooves either side of the ring of teeth.

[jaguar68]

That's the ones! So they fit inside the chainwheel, I thought that the rear one at least would "rub" on the chainwheel flange and the engine plate to perform at least some kind of tensioning.

[bmcecosse]

I'm afraid they are a bit of a joke.........better by far to fit the later Mini tensioner, which in itself is inexpensive but unfortunately needs a new timing case with a bulge in the side - and it's not cheap unless you can find a Mini engine in a scrappy.

[les]

It would be impossible to tension the chain by the rings rubbing against something other than the chain itself. The idea is to take out any slack, it's hard to see how the rubber rings do much to help. The slipper idea seems a more effective method.

[jaguar68]

I agree the Mini tensioners would be the best solution, but funds don't allow at this point in time. Looks like i need to "revise" the fitment of the rubber ring at the moment. The conversion to a 5 speed 1275cc has proved to be a little more costly than I anticipated, even though I had the engine, gearbox and fitting kit in the garage.

[ampwhu]

i've always fitted a duplex. it has always eliminated all this hasstle. still good after 20 years. just regular servicing.

[bmcecosse]

A duplex will be quiet at first - because it's all nice and new. But after a bit of use - it rattles just as badly as the simplex. Hence the tensioner was added in later engines - with a simplified (ie no grooves) simplex chain/sprocket assembly.

[ampwhu]

mine hasn't!

[bmcecosse]

Not yet!