Ser III Clatter possible timing chain tensioner???

Hi,
I have a 1972 SWB petrol that has a clatter, I’ve known this land rover for the last 8 years and it has always been like this… But as of a few weeks ago it’s now mine and I think it needs looking at.

To give you an idea it sounds like an old football rattle and at high revs it’s as loud. Another description is it’s similar to when you peg a playing card to the forks of your bike and spin the wheel.

The rattle sounds loose and not restricted, it also speeds up with the engine revs and slows at the same rate that the engine slows. No smoke, she idles fine (much better now for the electronic dizzy) and everything else seams fine… so….

Could it be the chain tensioner in need of repair or can anyone think of anything else worth looking at before I start ordering parts???

Open to suggestions as always
Many thanks
Andy

Could be the rubber pad on the tensioner come loose.
Lots of cups of tea required whilst doing the job, much better to remove rad /slam panel for access. Change the chain whilst in there false economy on cost and time if you do not. Any doubts on crank pulley wear change it for one less place to leak.

This sounds more metallic (deff not rubber) but then if it were mounted of a steel bracket it could be?

I’m trying to get a mate to change it in exchange for beet tokens but just want to make sure I’m changing the right bit 1st :5bsmash:

Thanks for the input…

Any other suggestions anyone ???

The rubber bit is designed to damp down any vibrations in the chain but if the rubber wears through the chain will vibrate against the steel backing plate. The tensioner is a jockey sprocket on a ratchet and I think the sprocket is aluminium. I had a couple of teeth break off and it made a lot of clattery type noises. I assume it's not a rattly tappet?

put a large screwdriver against various places on the engine with it running then place your ear on it you should be able to locate the area quite accurately.
ebay sell stehescopes for listening to engines gearboxes etc.

Morning All,

OK looks like its pointing to the timing components. I can get a new chain and the rubber anti vibration pad. I think I can get a new ratchet and tensioning gear (It’s an early 3 baring engine so I assume it will have the gear opposed to the rubber ended plunger type)
I assume the top and bottom gear should be ok so what other bits should I change while it’s stripped down???
Thanks Andy

Not had this on a landy but on my old nissan bluebird; rattle was the rubber completely gone from tensioner. Change asap as chain could go! Well thats what mechanic told me

O this has been like it for years.... the previous owner wasn't worried but its so loud I cant live with it....

With luck £30 on parts and an arm and a leg on labour will have ti sorted in time for the war and peace revival show in a couple of weeks

Fingers crossed

whilst you are ordering parts get gaskets and think about fitting a new thermostat,oil seal and fan belt all are very cheap. Don't skimp it fit a new timing chain.

Before you do anything it may be worth taking the rocker cover off and run it at idle, stick a rubber tube in your ear and use that as a stethoscope. If one of the rockers isn't getting oil properly they can sound pretty awful and may just need a strip down of the rocker shaft and a good clean out of the oilways - worth a check as its an easier job than taking the front off.