Mondial 3.2 Timing Belt Change Question - Tensioner Spring

At long last I am going to do my own timing belt/bearing change!

Question 1: Some people seem to replace the tensioner springs when doign the belt/bearing change. My understanding is the tensioners spring load to set the initial tension, but the tensioners are then "locked" (bolt tightened) in place once the tension has been set. With that, the springs would not be moving at all, so I would expect these springs would not "wear" from the constant movement like in an automatic tensioner on a modern car. Is it common practice to replace these springs, or just something one would do infrequently as a result of age/time?

Question 2: I bought some Hill tensioner bearings for my own inventory about 10 years ago. They have been indoor stored. Am I making a mistake to use these or should I purchase fresh ones. I presume the inside grease might degrade with time, albeit given they are sealed there would not be much oxidation expected. I know the easy answer is get new ones, but who knows how long these sit on someone elses shelf before being sold?

 

Picture of old spring next to new one. I am surprised the new one is longer. Maybe an original spring under compression without much movement of 35 years does indeed take a set.

Will use the new springs. Also cleaned and lubed the tensioner spring and plunger internals with Sil Glide.

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