ATR Roller Cam....use chain damper?????

[getchasum]

Just received my ATR roller cam today. While I was reading the instructions, I notice, under install tips, it said: “Regardless of what chain manufacturer recommends we emphatically recommend you reinstall the Buick original equipment chain damper...chains stretch...no exceptions.” I thought and always heard that using the factory damper on a double roller chain was a big no no. I even called them up to question this and they confirmed they recommend the install of the damper.

Please give feedback or past history of your experiences with an install of this cam.

Thanks,

 

[getchasum]

BTW....The chain set that came with ATR's roller cam kit is, a Cloyes True Roller speed set. Part number 9-3132.

 

[49-blues]

Hard to believe!

 

[JToups386]

I've never used the damper on any aftermarket chain, although they do exist. The Cloye's kit should not require its use. By design, the damper will disentigrate over time, spreading debris throughout the system.

Unless you're installing this with hopes of running 100k miles, then I would suggest not using the damper. However, I offer no guarantees to this advice, as it's only my opinion from my past installs.

Check the tension on the chain with and without the damper installed.

 

[JCotton]

I am not going to debate my answer here, I will just tell you that out of 4 ATR roller cams we installed about 2 years ago, everyone of them broke the tensioner within 1500 miles..... almost resulting in catastropic damage. Needless to say, we don;t use tensioner anymore with any double roller.

 

[Mark E.]

My tensioner was eaten by the double roller with an ATR roller kit in no time.

My wife's car has been together with a tensioner on a Cloyes double roller for 9 years and 50k miles. At least I think it is

 

[JToups386]

Of course, the whole purpose for the tensioner/dampener on the original setup was longevity, since the stock chain had the ability to stretch over time, and this was the "preventative fix" for it.

However, I don't know of any "race" motors that use a chain tensioner. A good double roller chain should not stretch anyway, so as Cotton mentioned too, avoid the tensioner. For some reason, there are double roller sets that come with it, but, if you have the proper sized chain you should never have to use it.

I guess what I'm trying to reiterate is --- Avoid the tensioner/dampener... Buy a set that doesn't require it.

 

[getchasum]

Thanks to everyone.

If I see that there to much slack when setting up the gears, I'll just go w/ another chain.

tks,

 

[NC87GN]

I pulled my motor which has 468 miles for reasons I wont discuss, and the tensioner had significant wear. I too have the ATR H series cam and the paper said to use it. Even talked to ATR on the phone and they said use it. During disassembly I looked at the pickup tube and there was quite a bit debris, from the tensioner, present. Checked the tension on the chain and there was none (I would hope to see none after 400 miles though). From my own expereince I will not use a tensioner again other than on a stock timing chain. HTH

Mike Banas
87GN