V-6 Mechanical Tensioner followup

["Daegrigg (Don)" <daegrigg@xxxxxxxxxxx>]

About a month ago, I finished a top-side rebuild on my 91L after a broken tensioner resulted in three bent intake valves.  Some may remember a discussion on proper procedure for adjusting the mechanical tensioner.  Since I had adjusted mine per the Alfa tech bulletin, I wanted to be sure that my disaster did not happen again. 

I decided to use the procedure posted by Nick Sorenson at Centerline.  It differs from the TSB in the critical initial position of the pointer.  Understanding the design of the tensioner, the Centerline procedure made more sense to me.  

At any rate, I sent an email to IAP who still supplies the old TSB instructions with tensioners they sell.  Their reply was that "we have had great success with the Alfa recommended installations, both personally as well as with our customers."  

I mention this not to bad-mouth IAP but to raise a hugh caution flag to any who have ever had to repair the damage from a bad or badly adjusted tensioner.  Caveat:  There is more than one way to adjust the tensioner, according to 'informed' Alfa sources.  Be infomed and make your own decision.   I decided that Alfa is wrong and Centerline et alia are right. 

Don
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