Do the S2 cam chain tensioners fit the S1 VN V6 engines

[Nzguzzi]

Hello,
I have a 1989 series 1 VN V6 Wagon ( built in NZ ~ no O2 sensor :surprise: )
I have heard about the S1 cam chain tensioners were poorly designed and broke off, I am ready to redo the chain and tensioner.
Will the series 2 tensioners bolt straight into a series 1 engine?
Anything else I should look at while doing this repair?

Engine has done over 320,000k's but seems to run sweet.

 

[delcowizzid]

it will fit fine.disable balance shaft while you are in there

 

[Immortality]

Doesn't matter what series V6 engine that chain tensioner comes from, they are a fail period.

Disabling the balance shaft will reduce the load on the single chain/tensioner but the only real solution is to fit a double row chain which doesn't use a tensioner.

 

[Nzguzzi]

Doesn't matter what series V6 engine that chain tensioner comes from, they are a fail period.

Disabling the balance shaft will reduce the load on the single chain/tensioner but the only real solution is to fit a double row chain which doesn't use a tensioner.

So it's an upgrade to remove the balance shaft?
Will it affect on the engine negatively if I remove it?
Don't want to do anything that may lower the life expectancy of this engine....

 

[Immortality]

Removing the balance shaft will create some extra vibrations in the engine, I hardly noticed any difference though when I took mine out. I fitted a decent balancer (powerbond) and the engine is the smoothest it has ever been since.

 

[Nzguzzi]

Removing the balance shaft will create some extra vibrations in the engine, I hardly noticed any difference though when I took mine out. I fitted a decent balancer (powerbond) and the engine is the smoothest it has ever been since.

Was it an "engine out" job to fit that Powerbond balancer?

 

[Immortality]

Nope, the s1 engines have a loose fitting balancer, just remove the bolt and it slides straight off. The Powerbond balancers are an interference fit like the later s2 onwards engines, just make sure you line it up properly and crank it on using the retainer bolt. Too get the later style balancers off you will need a proper harmonic balancer puller.

I fitted a race balancer on mine, they are stronger than the stock oem type balancers.