335 Hydraulic Tensioner's. Does the engine really require them | FerrariChat

335 Hydraulic Tensioner's. Does the engine really require them

Discussion in '348/355' started by Beetle, Apr 17, 2016.

This site may earn a commission from merchant affiliate links, including eBay, Amazon, Skimlinks, and others.

  1. Beetle

    Beetle Formula Junior

    Apr 10, 2013
    776
    Hello everyone just interested in peoples thoughts on the pro's and con's of the hydraulic tensioner in the 355 engine. Do you think there really needed Yes or No and for what reason?
    Many engines just require a certain level of tension and work fine. not asking for a verbal assault just interested in peoples views.
     
  2. Andy 355

    Andy 355 Formula Junior

    Jun 2, 2013
    434
    Sydney
    The hydraulic tensioner keeps the idler wheel in contact with the belt at all times, It keeps both sides of the belt tight. If you rotate an engine backwards you can watch how it works... Very important part.
     
  3. PAP 348

    PAP 348 Ten Time F1 World Champ
    Lifetime Rossa Owner

    Dec 10, 2005
    100,224
    Mount Isa, Australia
    Full Name:
    Pap
    Pretty much what Andy said.

    I won't get technical, but they are a lot better than the old school fixed tensioners because when the belt slowly but surely stretches over time *they don't stretch much*, the hydraulic tensioner keeps moving outwards keeping good tension on the timing belt.

    Fixed tensioners don't keep moving outwards to keep good tension on the timing belt.

    They still work, but the hydraulic ones work better.

    Probably why Ferrari and every other car manufacturer in the world has been using hydraulic tensioners since the mid 90's till today.
     
  4. Rifledriver

    Rifledriver Three Time F1 World Champ

    Apr 29, 2004
    37,273
    Cowboy Capitol of the World
    Full Name:
    Brian Crall
    #4 Rifledriver, Apr 17, 2016
    Last edited: Apr 17, 2016
    Another fix for a non existent problem. I suspect it was adopted in anticipation of the 10,000 RPM target redline that never came to fruition and the belt life issues related to that.

    The prior designs never suffered for their absence. The V12 in production at the same time never suffered for their absence. A very large number of other engine designs including race motors that survive much higher RPM ranges never suffered for their absence.
     
  5. bcwawright

    bcwawright F1 Veteran

    Jul 8, 2006
    5,234
    Georgia
    Full Name:
    Bruce
    #5 bcwawright, Apr 17, 2016
    Last edited by a moderator: Sep 7, 2017
  6. Rifledriver

    Rifledriver Three Time F1 World Champ

    Apr 29, 2004
    37,273
    Cowboy Capitol of the World
    Full Name:
    Brian Crall
  7. Mitch Alsup

    Mitch Alsup F1 Veteran

    Nov 4, 2003
    9,739
    The GT2 engine does how many years between belt changes?

    Oh, about 1 race or 1,500 miles give or take.
     
  8. Andy 355

    Andy 355 Formula Junior

    Jun 2, 2013
    434
    Sydney
    On a standard road car, i would simply stick with the tried and proven design,albeit fitting new tensioners and hill idlers. Set the belt to factory spec and enjoy. Simple.
     
  9. Beetle

    Beetle Formula Junior

    Apr 10, 2013
    776
    I tend to agreeing with Rifledriver on this subject. I suppose there are positives to having them as well
     
  10. Andy 355

    Andy 355 Formula Junior

    Jun 2, 2013
    434
    Sydney
    If someone came to my shop and asked me to fit some cobbled together belt tensioners to their engine, they would be shown the door. This would be a great modification for the diy weekend warrior who has the money to repair the engine when it ends up in a screaming heap.
     
  11. Andy 355

    Andy 355 Formula Junior

    Jun 2, 2013
    434
    Sydney
    And a nice fix for what????? Do these fail all the time?? Ive seen these faulty and still the belt has been in tact and ok???
     
  12. Andy 355

    Andy 355 Formula Junior

    Jun 2, 2013
    434
    Sydney
    And faulty after 16 years. The procedure is to simply replace them. Any shop doing otherwise is looking for a court case.
     
  13. Rifledriver

    Rifledriver Three Time F1 World Champ

    Apr 29, 2004
    37,273
    Cowboy Capitol of the World
    Full Name:
    Brian Crall
    Who advocated not using them?


    Some people really need to learn the language.
     

Share This Page