Cam Sprocket to Cam Shaft

[JM550]

Hi guys,

Hoping someone can help me with this one as I surely can't be the only one to have this trouble, unless I'm missing something really obvious.

I've got a very stubborn Cam Sprocket that won't meet with the Cam Shaft correctly.
Any tips or tricks for just getting that extra bit of play out of the Timing chain so I can marry the two up together properly?

I've played around with the Chain adjuster but it just does not want to budge.

Any help appreciated.

Thanks

[Oddjob]

Are you 100% sure the camchain tensioner is located in the bottom slot in the crankcase?

Are you sure the cam goes behind the guide and not in front of it?

I've never personally had any problems getting a sprocket on, even with a brand new chain.

[McCabe-Thiele (Ted)]

Not quite the same but it was a heck of a job to remove my sprocket from the camshaft when I was dismantling my 500. I had undone the tapet adjusters. I had to move the tensioner until it was as free as possible then with the sprocket bolts removed I inserted a pointed tapered tool into one of the bolt holes to enable me to lift it a tad so it wriggled off the boss.

Of course assuming the tensioner blades are fitted correctly but you're pushing against the blade iirc.

[Oddjob]

Just hit it sideways Ted. Hit away from the boss on the shaft and it will just fall off. Small hammer or the handle of a screwdriver works.

[mickwinf]

I have just done this on my 500 Lazarus. It has a new camchain and i agree sometimes they are a bit tricky. Check the things mentioned, and i found once you get things lined up you may need to lever with a screwdriver and i had to tap it on with a rubber mallet.

[Oddjob]

Yes you do need to lever it on, it won't go on by hand.

[JM550]

Thanks everyone, I'm hoping to spend a bit of time on it over the weekend, so I'll give your suggestions a go.

I did try prying it up onto the boss with a screwdriver but i was probably being too cautious with it. I'll give it a bit more force and see if it budges.

Will let you know how I get on.

Thanks

[McCabe-Thiele (Ted)]

If the tensioner is fully slack you are effectively pulling against the bow shape of the tensioner with only the chain being pulled up to push sideways against the bow tension - naff all leverage so fingers alone can't pull it up hard enough to push the bow sideways.

[Seabeowner]

I've done this about half a dozen times including a couple with all new parts. Every time I have trouble remembering the technique and couldn't explain it now! But when I get it right, after puzzling that it is impossible, it actually goes together with a very minimal amount of force and never reverted to anything except bare hands.

[Sesman]

I’ve done it three times now with new chains and guides. It’s tough, but I’ve never had to use a lever. The trick is the initial set up….observe the manual carefully for the chain and sprocket relative positions.

[McCabe-Thiele (Ted)]

That will be  the benefits of youth, gym workouts or the Spinach diet lads.

[Sesman]

He, he. 👍😁

[paulbaker1954]

Make sure you have the front tensioner the right way round. I had mine the wrong way and exactly the same problem. Also make sure you are inserting the cam from the rights hand side

[McCabe-Thiele (Ted)]

Are you sure it's not from left side feeding the cam through the gear as you go until the cam sits in place?
Pretty sure that's the way mine came out - maybe it works from either side?

[Bryanj]

The most common reason the chain wont fit is having the front cushion on the wrong side of the chain as said above