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Never seen one except in pictures and I'm relieved that it's off my list of things to install to keep the engine from blowing up, if it is. It's a nice surprise given some of the other things that I'm working to replace/update.
Anything I need to check with it to make sure everything is OK?
Hoping this is what I think it is.
I was looking around the front of the car as I move my way forward from the transmission work and was surprised to see this. I think I also see what looks to be an original damper so that's not brilliant but will be addressed in due order. Mr. Merlin has agreed to take a look at my car so I imagine this will be part of a long list of things to update.
Dave K: That seems like a good thing to check! I won't have the car down for a little bit from the lift, as I have a flex plate clamp to install but given the whining that's coming from the power steering (pump, belt? I need to figure it out) I have some work to do in that general area.
Ken: Entirely possible, good eye. This was taken with me jamming my phone up while the car is up in the air so I can't get my big old melon of a head up in there too much. I'll see if I can't get a different angle on the bracket and verify what you're seeing. With the other mounting points seemingly whole, the thickness of the bracket and the specs on the bolts (typically speaking) are probably more than enough to compensate for that missing attachment point, correct? I can't read what the specs are on the bolt heads but, if needed, I can source and install some 10.9 spec bolts if you think that's the right call.
That fourth 25mm bolt does not do a whole lot if the other three are there (stress analysis showed when designing the bracket).
There must be enough threads to hold the bolt in place but a longer 40+mm bolt along with a fender washer and nut on the back side would probably OK, short of welding.
After installing one of these tensioners myself this past year, I'm not sure why anyone continues to utilize the messy and complicated OEM style tensioner unless it's on a concourse car.
When it is time to do the timing belt you can replace the roller and damper cartridge with new for very small $. They don't have any particular history of wearing out, but its a feel good thing.
The other good news is that this car was owned, at some point, by someone who was tied into the community. The folks at Joe's garage, or Firestone, or whatever, would never have hear the the PK tensioner.
MFranke: Will do. The angle is a little awkward at the moment and I have a good deal of Kroil doing some work on the exhaust bolts (just had some hit me square in the forehead!) but I'll put it on the list for sure.
karl ruiter: I agree about the PK piece being a very nice thing to have on the car already, and indicates that the previous owner was knowledgeable enough to get this done. It's a funny thing because the things that I am going through and taking care of are the result of someone who very much enjoyed driving this car, in all kinds of weather. It falls to me to get things to where I want them (I wish I could get them to the state that Petza914 does, above, but I'm not that good/motivated), but I can't complain about what looks to have been a car that was driven.
01-28-2020, 02:41 PM
This is a PorKen Tensioner right?
