chains and tensioners

[Dieter H. Marschall]

Hello all,
I reckon that IWIS chains are best for the Stag. Correct? Which are the best tensioners and who sells them? I have read somewhere that some aftermarket tensioners do not work properly, as the oil channels are not placed correctly ...
Best wishes,
Dieter.

[sujitroy]

You've opened up a can of worms. I have the tensioners which squirt oil straight on the chain. I installed them after I had a crank sprocket strip. It was a matter of time before the other one had stripped. Here's what I think, I feel that tensioners can be reused if slight wear. The wear is typically from the outer and inner plates of the chains. The rollers don't wear them out that much.
Sujit

[Paul Kelley]

I would contact Stuart at SOC Spares ands ask him about the tensioners he sells. I find that the quality of SOC products is generally good, together with Peter Howells at LD Parts. EJ Ward also worth checking. Another approach is to contact Faversham Classics as they are always helpful and are likely to have a view about suppliers, ditto Paul at Stag Classics.

[markmark2]

"I have the tensioners which squirt oil straight on the chain"

Hi Sujit, can you remember where you purchased them from? Thanks M

[sujitroy]

Hello M,
I bought them years back from James Paddock. I rang them up for something else and we talked about these and they had this type.
Not sure if this is doable and at what cost, but I place here in USA, took tensioners from a Dolomite or Dolomite Sprint and cut them down. Here's a photo of a Dolomite tensioner compared to a Stags

Sujit

[jbuckl]

As far as I’m aware, unless you can find new old stock renolds tensioners, the only manufacturer source is LGB Coimbatore.
LGB have the rights to the renold design.
Renold only do industrial chain systems now afaiaa
The oil hole used to be in the rubber slipper, but now it’s in the piston.
Videos are available of the tensioners in operation (YouTube)
For what it’s worth, I’m happy using the LGB parts.

[wilf]

I replaced mine with the "new" type with the oil squirter hole in the body or piston. I checked the oil was "squirting" by turning the engine over before refitting the timing chain cover - it looked fine, and endoscope examination since shows all is well, after, admittedly, just 2500 miles. I got every part for the chain etc. replacement job from Peter at LD.

[trunt]

There seems to be a slightly different method of install for the new type, they come with a 2mm spacer that starts them off slightly further out to allow for that hole in the shaft, originals only had 1mm

Terry

[markmark2]

Thanks Sujit for the reply. Something to think about. M

[jbuckl]

Good info Terry.
Have heard of a few noisy tensioner & chain rebuilds recently.
Perhaps that’s a root cause.
I reckon it’s pretty tricky to set them up properly without using the correct setting spacers.