Doms CB550F1 project

[Bryanj]

Dont torque the m6 just do them last and to hand tool tight, only torque the main ones

[McCabe-Thiele (Ted)]

It really did help Ted, what didn't help was reading Ken mention to check and check again the tensioner is sat in its pocket in the crankcases...I'm panicking now even though I'm sure it was, any way of checking now its all torqued up?

I know what you mean about the tensioner, just have confidence that everything went into place pretty easily when you lowered the block.
The front part that sits between the chain has side lugs that if it's not in place  would stop the block going flat down if its not in the recess slot iirc.
The rear tensioner blade is easier as it has the adjuster bolt plus the top mount - iirc the top bolt has an  O ring - this is just from my memory. I have the same sort of panic attacks - I ought to take assembly photos so I can check my work but I don't - thats when doubt creeps in.

This was the advice from Bryan & Ken on fitting the tensioner that I followed.http://www.sohc.co.uk/index.php/topic,28541.510.html

[DomP]

I just used the very lower end of their torque range on the 6mm flange bolts which I think was about 7 ft lb Bryan.

I agree Ted, but I have to have something to wake me in the middle of the night😀

[McCabe-Thiele (Ted)]

I have my blaadder for that Dom.

I know what you mean though wrestling with problems & solutions makes for restless sleep until the tricky things are done.

[DomP]

Oh I've reached that point as well Ted, I thought I was still young at 44

[McCabe-Thiele (Ted)]

Oh I've reached that point as well Ted, I thought I was still young at 44

BPE is part of being a bloke!

[Seabeowner]

I always fit the sump after the block so you can check the tensioner is in the slot by looking up underneath. It can miss and slip behind, done that a few times.

[DomP]

I always fit the sump after the block so you can check the tensioner is in the slot by looking up underneath. It can miss and slip behind, done that a few times.

I suppose I can whip the sump off and have a look because I've not got oil in it yet.

I've just had to do a helicoil thread repair on one of the valve cover bolts, literally one of the last ones I did up so lots of masking up to prevent any swarf going any where. I used a piece of aquarium airline on my Charles hoover to vac the hole out.

[Seabeowner]

When fitting the block you can either leave the tensioner loose and it will waggle around a fair bit or push the blade back by hand against the spring and lock it off with the nut to hold it firmly upright. The loose way gives opportunity for it to miss. The fixed way in theory should be better if all is straight.
Pic of missed pocket:

[DomP]

I bolted mine up and tensioner fully held in and locked off so fingers crossed I don't see that in your photo!

[DomP]

The worry was killing me to I took the sump off this morning, thank goodness all was as it should be!

[DomP]

I don't like to ask this question but when installing the cam chain tensioner is it possible to locate it out of the pocket to the rear of the engine, I've seen plenty that have been mounted in front of the pocket which I know I didn't do from my photos but I'm concerned it may have missed and gone the other side.  Paranoia is setting in!

[Bryanj]

No, the crankcase is in the way as i remember

[DomP]

That's a relief Bryan, I've got a photo up through the sump which confirms its not missed  then

[DomP]

I've not updated this much lately, mostly because I've hit a bit of a slow patch with other things going on and not being quite sure how I'm going to finish bits off.  I've made a fibreglass seat base with cable release and a cowl so I'm getting to the point of thinking about paint colours which brings me to my question, I'm pretty set on a gunmetal or graphite colour but maybe with a bit of a greeny hue or green metallic flake.  I'm struggling to find the colour I have in my head and have trawled Ebay car listings and looked at cars while on holiday hoping to find it, despite anyone have any suggestions or a way of finding the right colour?