Timing Chain Knock after replacement in s13

[ogmike80]

I just replaced my timing chain and tension with a cloyes set from O'reilly's. My car is an SOHC S13. The old chain ground through the water jacket which prompted the repair. $500 later the car runs fine but knocks between 2500 and 4000 rpms. It sounds like its coming from the top front of the valve cover right above the chain. I have all new rockers so that's not it. I pulled the valve cover and everything looks fine. Anyone have trouble with aftermarket tensioners?

One other note, the engine tends to overheat on long trips. Also using a Crane ignition box but my problem doesn't sound like spark knock.

Please Help!

[BadMojo]

Have you checked to make sure your oil pressure is OK? Tensioners are operated by oil pressure, so if your pump is taking a ****, that could be causing the problem.

Edit: Just thought of something...timing chain noise usually happens a lot at idle because oil pressure is lower then. So your engine sounds fine at start up and idle?

[ogmike80]

Yeah, it's completely quiet at idle. The knock mostly occurs under a quick acceleration while sitting still. It seems like the tensioner collapses when I hit the gas peddle and then eventually re-expands as the rpms increase.