sd_iconoclast
Registered User
I have just finished rebuilding the 3.8 in my SC and I am now installing it in the car. However, I have noticed something that concerns me. It seems that the rebuilt engine is much harder to rotate (the crankshaft) by hand than the old engine. I understand that this is to be expected with an engine with new rings and all, but the new engine is really hard to turn. I have rebuilt a number of engines including V-8s and none of them were nearly as difficult turn. The engine became difficult to turn after I installed the timing chain, tensioner, and timing cover. At first I thought that the timiung cover was somehow interfering with the cam gear or timing chain or something. Then I remembered that the tensioner (I bought a new stock tensioner and chain) seemed to press really hard on the timing chain when I installed it. The tensioner comes with a pin in it that keeps the spring fully compressed until the tensioner is installed.
I now realize that none of the other engines I rebuilt had tensioners. They all had double roller timing chains that did not require tensioners.
My question is: Is this normal? Have any of you guys installed a new chain and tensioner and observed the same thing?
I now realize that none of the other engines I rebuilt had tensioners. They all had double roller timing chains that did not require tensioners.
My question is: Is this normal? Have any of you guys installed a new chain and tensioner and observed the same thing?