[tpepmeie]

As I was finishing up my latest 427 build, a thought occurred to me. To time the cams, you first tension the secondary chains using the manual tensioners. Get the timing perfect, then remove the manual ones and install and fire the hydraulic tensioners.

Would seem to me that if the tension you impart on the manual tensioners is tighter than the hydraulic tensioners, the camshaft timing will be different under running conditions. Anybody else have an opinion here? There is really no spec for how tight to tension the manual tensioners. I generally just give it a few degrees with a small open end wrench, but no real torque beyond a little more than finger tight, so to speak.

If the hydraulic tensioners apply less force, wouldn't that have the same effect as chain stretch, and retard the valve events?

Love to hear what others who've done this think. I know Graham and Marc are on here from time to time, they've done it hundreds or thousands of time.

Just thinking out loud today, before heading to the speedway!