I have an interesting problem where the timing belt tensioner that is specified for this car does not appear to be correct. According to the engine serial number and the VIN number it should use a 30637955 tensioner with two large ears to locate it in relation to the engine block.

The tensioner on the car is ( I believe ) 30638277, which has four little tabs punched out of the plate behind the bearing. The first tab sticks up, the second one is folded back, third up, fourth back. The 2nd and 4th tabs locate the tensioner on a raised boss sticking out of the engine block. The boss is a good fit in between the tabs.

The 30637955 tensioner does not appear to bend back far enough to engage the boss on the engine block and the boss on the engine block would need to be 2-3 times as wide to engage the ears and securely (accurately) locate the tensioner.

Has any one run into a problem like this ?
Does anyone know if the timing belts are the same for early and late mechanical tensioners ?

The serial number break was at 318XXX and this engine is 327XXX. The tensioner does not have the little hydraulic cylinder like an 850.

Thanks

Greg