My 2001 XKR Silverstone has only 32.000 miles, but i could not enjoy driving it not knowing the condition of the upper tensioners. According to all the available information it was supposed to have the 1st Gen tensioners, so i decided to change them. 2 local Independents in the San Fernando Valley quoted $1300.00 to do the work, plus parts. Since it is supposed to be a 4 hr job, i decided i will get my hands dirty for $325.00 an hr. The job went smooth, mostly due to the numerous good tips i found from experienced members of this Forum, regarding the zip tie method, the cutting of the bolt at the dip stick, not having to remove the coolant reservoir, the Lincoln part numbers, and especially about priming the oil pressure before start up (this step i would have probably omitted myself). I would like to thank the Forum and its contributing members for all the information. In hindsight, i had nothing to worry about, i found 2nd Gen tensioners in the car in perfect condition, one of the previous owners upgraded them, but i had no way of knowing, and had no piece of mind. I don't know if this has any merit, or if it is helpful to any one else, but i did not feel good about positioning the valve covers during installation, since they do not have locating pins. The cover bolts are holding the gasket captive at the bolts, but it seemed way to easy to dislodge the gasket between the bolts if the cover had to be moved once it made contact in order to align the bolts. I made 2 pins the size of the spark plug hole diameter, and used them to put the valve covers down in perfect position without having to move them after contact. it worked perfect, and i have no oil leaks.

 

Well done and good idea.
Did you happen to write down the diameter of the wooden dowels?I would like to cut them before taking the cover off and having to do a measurement.

Wayne

 

the narrower part is 22.6mm diameter, the wider one can be anything just somewhat bigger so it can not fall down into the spark plug tunnel

 

Thank you, as doing a job for the first time, you need all the advantages and lessons learned. From all the information on the Forum, I'm starting to think this job is going to be a snap. Just taking time and putting all the ducks in a row.

Wayne

 

I wanted to add my thanks for documenting this technique which I successfully used - at least conceptually - when I recently did my tensioners. Lacking immediate access to suitable dowels and the right tools to turn them I decided to adapt some locally available material -cork- which I roughly turned down with a sharp knife.Since the material is softer and my carving skills are not that great, I didn't worry about getting the diameter too precise, and the end result worked just fine - no leaks.


Pic attached showing the locators in situ.