An engine tensioning system including a pair of pivoting arms used to simultaneously tension two separate strands of the same chain in an engine timing system. The tensioner system includes a lever. The lever has a pair of fixed pins attached to an end located between the two strands of chain. The arms extend outside separate strands of the chain and carry shoes positioned to contact an outside portion of the chain are pivotally mounted to the fixed pins. Rotation of the lever causes the fixed pins to move laterally with respect to the chain strands and cause the arms to draw inwardly. The inward movement of the arms draw the shoes into contact with the chain strands and impart tension to the separate strands of the chain simultaneously.