[Roadsters] Timing chain tensioner and oil pressure

[Joe Kinstle]

Hello All,  

 

I'm looking for some technical advice.  My '68 2000 was giving me an
occasional death rattle sound upon startup, but not every time, and usually
only after it was fully warmed up.  I was also noticing my oil pressure
seemed low, especially during longer drives.  My car was recently stolen,
and it appears the guy who stole it took it for the shear fun of driving
seeing what it takes to break it.  Fortunately, our cars are pretty tough.
But now upon start up when cold, it gets the death rattle bad, and it lasts
for 5 or more seconds.  Unfortunately, I didn't think to look at the oil
pressure before pulling the engine for needed transmission repairs (yep,
they broke that too).  

 

Now I'm trying to figure out what to do about the timing assembly.  There
are signs of wear on the so called "evil L", though very light.  When I
rotate the engine so the chain goes slack on the right side (looking at it
from the front), the chain very loose, and certainly hits the "L".  When I
rotate it the other direction so that upper tensioner slides out, it slides
out 5/16".  Is this excessive?  And could this have anything to do with oil
pressure?

 

Is there a trick to inspecting the timing components without having to pull
the head and timing cover?  And if I do pull the timing cover, what should I
be looking for?  Any other recommended things I can check while I have the
motor on the stand?

 

Thanks,

Joe Kinstle

'68 2L

BLK SRL