Which timing chain tensioner to use?

[Mojo88]

2010 4.6 3v, 24psi boost, 625 whp; I'm doing a complete laundry list of parts (timing chains/guides, phasers, rockers, lifters, valve seals, new timing cover).

I have two brand new sets of tensioners sitting on my workbench. One is the plastic version (Ford) and the other is ratcheting cast iron (Melling).

I seem to have three options:
1) Use the stock Ford plastic,
2) Use the cast iron with ratcheting, or,
3) Use cast iron, but file off the ratcheting.

Maybe I'm over-thinking this. I've been searching and seeing a wide variety of opinions on which tensioner to use. I've searched out FordTechMakuloco on YouTube, and he recommends the stock Ford plastic tensioners for his customers... BUT ... those are mostly stock pickup trucks. My car is pushing the limits, so I'd like to know if anyone can give me another opinion on which tensioner to use, or does it even matter?

Thanks!!!!!

 

[JEWC_Motorsports]

The plastic ones are known to develop leaks. Personally id grind the Melling ones and let it ride.

 

[Mojo88]

Thanks man, appreciate the feedback!

 

[JC SSP]

Can you post pics of what you are grinding down?

Sorry I foresee myself doing this in future so trying to get as much info as possible.

 

[skwerl]

There is a reason Ford no longer uses ratcheting timing chain tensioners, and it applies to your high horsepower engine. When you rev it way up and then back off the throttle it creates a lot of slack on the tensioner side while the other side is super tight. With a ratcheting tensioner it can lock in the chain super tight which then creates problems with a cold engine.

Ford used ratcheting timing chain tensioners back in the 90s and early 2000s when their Mustang only put out less than 300hp.

 

[Midlife Crises]

I’m running MMR billet tensioners. They seal with an o-ring and I ground the teeth off the plunger shafts so they no longer ratchet. They are spring loaded and pump up hydraulically just like the plastic ones. No complaints.

 

[Mojo88]

There is a reason Ford no longer uses ratcheting timing chain tensioners, and it applies to your high horsepower engine. When you rev it way up and then back off the throttle it creates a lot of slack on the tensioner side while the other side is super tight. With a ratcheting tensioner it can lock in the chain super tight which then creates problems with a cold engine.

Ford used ratcheting timing chain tensioners back in the 90s and early 2000s when their Mustang only put out less than 300hp.

Yeah, I don't have an engineering degree, but this was my thought too.

I'm gonna use the iron tensioners, and grind off the ratcheting tabs.

 

[RED09GT]

Plastic tensioners with fel-pro seals is what I am running. Ditch the thin stock seals on the plastic ones and use these:

Solving Ford Timing Chain Tensioner Gasket Issues

Read how our Fel-Pro® Timing Chain Tensioner Gasket Set ES73226 can solve tensioner repair issues for many 2001-2014 Ford vehicles with V8 and V10 engines.

www.felpro.com

 

[Mojo88]

Done! The Melling tensioners are modified and installed...........
Thanks for the help gents!


Turns out my whole issue appears to have been a bad tensioner. I finally just looked at them and found this below. The guides were OK, but I installed new MMR guides anyway, just as a preventive measure.

 

[JEWC_Motorsports]

That is definitely an issue and could have caused a catastrophe.

 

[Headfoxx]

Plastic tensioners with fel-pro seals is what I am running. Ditch the thin stock seals on the plastic ones and use these:

Solving Ford Timing Chain Tensioner Gasket Issues

Read how our Fel-Pro® Timing Chain Tensioner Gasket Set ES73226 can solve tensioner repair issues for many 2001-2014 Ford vehicles with V8 and V10 engines.

www.felpro.com

How are they felpro gaskets holding up?

 

[whitmanink]

i just put a low mileage used engine in not too long ago, and before i installed it i did cams and roller follwers ect ect ect,, i used the stock plastic tensioner with felpro gaskets,,
im over 3,000 ,miles and no problems here, and im at about 355 ish whp , and i only use the car for the gym and for fun , and i always race it and beat on it, just did my oil and it was almost clean looking, (like it came out of the bottle).. i have no rattles or weird noises on start up , , just the sound of the cams loping the badass 3v sound

 

[GlassTop09]

Done! The Melling tensioners are modified and installed...........
Thanks for the help gents!
View attachment 89982

Turns out my whole issue appears to have been a bad tensioner. I finally just looked at them and found this below. The guides were OK, but I installed new MMR guides anyway, just as a preventive measure.
View attachment 89983

I'll be replacing soon the exact same parts w\ the exact same MMR parts as you have.......except I'll be using all new ARP hardware on the MMR OE Ford 4.6L cast iron chain tensioners & oil pump itself as I fully intend to not be doing this job again after this.

After seeing 07Boss's situation w\ B1 chain tensioner bolt stress failures, I can't unsee\forget that image & my engine has over 176,000+ mileage on her so I know those bolts in my engine are heat stress cycled & potentially weakening...........too much work\potential damage to go thru IMHO vs the costs........that's just me I suppose.

Keep us in the know as to how all fares afterwards...................