Video attached.

The cams should not move at all even so slighlty. That means you brace has enlarged. I had a similar problem and I solved it with electrical tape.

https://cimg3.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.mbw...5c6c2222d9.jpg
https://cimg7.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.mbw...ea743a94dd.jpg

OK so everything is lined up...but the intake cam adjuster "WANTS" to move back clockwise jumping a tooth. What's keeping it from moving is the braces I have on there. I THINK if I put the tensioner in, it will all lock up tight...but I only have one shot at it...so I don't want to put the tensioner in unless it's good to go...What do you guys think?
https://cimg1.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.mbw...45c8948608.jpg

Yes you put in the tensioner at point before removing the brace

Do I torque the cam adjuster bolts first before tensioner or after? Also do you happen to have the torque value for those T100 bolts?

It doesn’t matter. You still need brace in place when you torque them as that holds the cams in place. Did you change the chain too?

No I didn’t change the chain. It appears to be fine. I think it was just the intake cam adjuster. I replaced both adjusters and new tensioner.

No would be a good time to do it since you are in there and the chains on these cars are know to fail. Anyway you will know if the chain is stretched after you put the tensioner back in and remove the braces.

One more thing before I install the tensioner. Right now the slack on the chain is on the intake side. The tensioner is on the exhaust side. Should I adjust it so that the slack is on the exhaust side so that when I tension it it all works out?

Yes the slack should be on the exhaust side

AHHHH....what a world of a difference that made. Glad I checked the slack before installing tensioner. Everything lined up properly once I moved the slack to the exhaust side.

Do you know the torque setting on these cam bolts?

The torque is 90 nm

Hmm...I installed the new tensioner, but it did not extend out and put tension on the rails...is there something I'm supposed to do to the tensioner before screwing it in?

I did not remove my tensioner when I did this so I didn’t have to deal with that. But i read in a forum or the wis there is something you need to do to trigger it.

Huge thanks to AZBLK and THE CRITIC in helping me get through this!

It is 130nm for the 271.8 engine and 90nm for the 271.9 engine.

The 1.8L evo is the 271.860 (most of the time) so the torque should be 130nm or 96 ft -lbs.

Help
 

So I’m about to tackle this job just need the torque for the timing chain tensioner