[Healeys] 100 Timing chain tensioner question

[Bert Van Brande]

Is there a consensus on the 100 4-cyl timing chain tensioner ring?  

When searching the archives I find a lot of compelling arguments for leaving it out as well as arguments for putting in a new tensioner ring.  In short the arguments against are it can brake up and clog oil passages and cause damage vs. it's doing the job it's supposed to do and take up any slack, reducing wear on the gears and chain and keeping things quiet.

My engine is out of the car, rebuild by the PO without tensioner, not sure if that was intentionally.  I am going over every part of the engine before putting it back in the car in a month or so.  Now would be easy to put a tensioner ring in.

BTW, when the engine was fired up 6 years ago after I got the "project" car, there was no apparent or excessive sound coming from the timing chain area.

Bert
56 BN2