Just to be clear, if I rotate the engine by hand until the flats are level on the cams will all load then be off the cam? ( to use zip tie method) thanks

 

I've fitted the new secondary tensioners and wondered if I need to pour a little oil over them before I put the covers back on? Anybody done this? Thanks

 

No harm in it!

 

I believe that the "Matching Flats" position is Not the same as the "Non Cam Pressure" position.

 

Thanks Paul, I realised that as I looked at it. You read that much conflicting stuff you don’t know where you are in the end!

 

Certainly wasn’t!, she purred when started with the new tensioners in.

 

Attaboy!

 

Good stuff.
See - it wasn't that difficult in the end
You will sleep better, too.

Perhaps plan the full monty as a winter project.

 

Yes I'm glad I did it but very nerve racking. The old ones were not as bad as I thought. The left bank had no cracking at all. I've given the car a good going over just the belts to do and fuel filter and that's it for service items.

 

Brinny,

Well done. Most of us have done that job too. First time for me too on a AJ-V8 engine.

When you're doing stuff for the first time, it can be nerve wracking, but I find that exciting too. Always good to push yourself and your knowledge/abilities further out. No matter what our ages, we can always learn a bit more, and the forum members here are very helpful and supportive. Even in the middle of a job, they are on hand when you hit a problem.

When you're in that area of the engine again, you'll know what it's all about and will even have all the tooling for it.

And trying and failing is also good too. My 99 XK8 has beaten me a few time (failed Alternator change, couldn't replace wheel bearings) but what the heck I tried and still haven't given up yet.

Good luck with the fuel filter (check if it's the old fashioned nuts, or the quick release type of fuel fitting). The serpentine Belt change is super easy but worth checking all the pullies are freely spinning without any grinding noises. The tensioner and the idler pullies generally are cheap to replace if worn.