Originally posted by dbbubba:
The P.O.S. (piece of crap) tensioner broke apart at 168K.



Anything that FORD makes that lasts more then 100,000 miles is a MIRACLE.
Being that the original tensioner lasted 168,000 miles, I wouldn't exactly label it POS.

And your belt slap is probably caused by loose rockers.
Since the Cam is an OHC design, the rockers are more followers than rockers.
The cam sits on top of the rocker, and the rocker sits between the valve and the lifter.
The only way to adjust the valve lash is to add a larger shim between the rocker and the lifter or the valve.
I'm not even sure if there are shims there.
If there are no shims, then you may need to replace the worn cam,
worn rickers, worn valves, and worn lifters.
Getting rid of the valve lash, will make the cam spin smoother, and the belt will not slap.

If the engine runs fine otherwise, I would just leave it alone.
It is too big of a job to do just to get rid of the belt slap.

Pete... 2004 Mercury Marauder 300A Black Clearcoat/Dark Charcoal LEATHER DOB 10/31/2003 DOP 1/2/2004 www.mercurymarauder.net