Timing chain rattle-- strange tensioner issue

[Quart Meg Miles]

I presume you are talking about the head stud holes being considerably wider than the bolts/studs, allowing the head to move around when refitting.

Yes. I'm not sure why I had so much play as I usually fit my dummy studs just half thread in the block. I seem to remember I was in a hurry so perhaps dropped the head on with the bolts dangling. But the poster of this thread doesn't have that history..

I have had trouble, recently, with the tensioner spindle trying to cross-thread while fitting it but that would be visible if not corrected. I'm surprised to learn that the parts can twist or distort, mine are perfectly straight even after considerable miles.