Got the tensioner switched over last night. The old one (well 1500 miles in my book isn't old.... grumble grumble) had very cleanly delaminated the rubber foot from the shaft. The small boss on the back came off during removal, what a piece of crap! The new one dosen't look much better, but Rolon seems to be the only available brand for the tensioners. Unless you know of another that I can get?
In the future I know to use a ratchet with a pivoting handle to get the correct angle on the mounting bolts. And to stick the tab washer on the plug with some grease, and hold the plug bolt with some grease on the side of a screwdriver blade while tightening with a 7/16" spanner. That should save me a good hour of swearing!
I did look at the tensioner on the old engine I pulled to see if was a different brand. But true to all the other work performed on it by the nameless mechanic of doom the plug bolt was missing. The engine had been running with just the spring force holding the chain in tension! I was right to not trust that engine it seems!
Here's a pic of the old one.
The new style floats arrived yesterday too. It felt like Christmas coming home from work! Timing chain tensioners, SU floats and a 5 quart can of Lucas Classic 20/50 oil!
I swapped those over with the old ones, talk a bout a difference in stiffness! The old ones were so floppy even when at room temperature, heavens knows how floppy they are when in a hot engine bay! I'll fit the carbs after refitting the sump this evening with luck. Also with luck this will help cure the venting of fuel from the front carb. Only thought I have after that is some sort of vibration issue causing it, but why only the front carb if that's so?