Bolt on timing chain tensioner

1994redram said

I used one on my 5.9 magnum build. I used an aftermarket double roller chain with it. I pulled that engine apart to swap the cam and found that the tensioner was pretty chewed up.

I think the tensioner was designed to be used with a factory "silent" type chain. I didn't and won't use one again.

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I put one in my Duster's previous 360 with a double roller chain, when the engine kicked the bucket after 25,000 miles (pinged itself to death, too high of static compression for the cam I used) I found the chain had dug grooves into the tensioner. Next one I built which is in the car currently got a Cloyes true roller and no tensioner. Timing is rock solid at idle.

I want to say this current engine which is a junkyard 5.9L Magnum out of a 2000 Dodge 2500 pickup didn't have a tensioner when I first pulled it apart but can't remember for sure. I think @Oldmanmopar is right, it was more a crutch for the 3.9L V6 as they had uneven firing and would stretch the chain quicker than a V8. Some Magnum V8s got them but not all, I'm pretty sure.