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Cam tensioner panic attack !

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McCabe-Thiele (Ted):
When I assembled the crankcase I pinched the tensioner rod back using the adjuster bolt so that the cam horseshoe arm was able to move freely, it was all good. ( Before fastening the crank case halves together I even tested it by letting the bolt go so it pushed on the Horseshoe the flat part of the plunger facing the pinch action lock bolt. The horseshoe arm was not fouling anywhere.) I had noticed that the top gallery bolt would only screw down part way when the retracted push rod was fully back. I checked that when the pinch bolt was released it allowed the top gallery bolt to fit. All good.

Today I released the pinch bolt expecting to hear the rod take up it's position by the spring action it did not seem to have really moved much but you can't really see anything - that said the gallery bolt did tighten down by hand so it must have moved a little.

Does this all sound normal - is there a simple way I can check that the system is working should I have released the pinch bolt before fitting the tensioner blade or cylinder head?

I have a feeling I might at least have to take the cam cover off to test it in some way.....please not another Ground Hog event - I have this empty feeling in the pit of my stomach - at least posting this has helped me a little.

Advice and platitudes all welcome.

Laverda Dave:
That sounds normal Ted. The tensioner will not move much when the spring rod is released and you will have to have exceptional hearing to hear the spring moving a few mm to tension the horeshoe within the confines of the crankcase. Dont forget the cam chain is also new. If you are worried take the rocker cover off to check but honestly it sounds fine.

McCabe-Thiele (Ted):

--- Quote from: Laverda Dave on October 06, 2021, 12:09:04 PM ---That sounds normal Ted. The tensioner will not move much when the spring rod is released and you will have to have exceptional hearing to hear the spring moving a few mm to tension the horeshoe within the confines of the crankcase. Dont forget the cam chain is also new. If you are worried take the rocker cover off to check but honestly it sounds fine.

--- End quote ---

That is a relief - as it happens I also wear two hearing aids.lol

I know it has moved a little as the top gallery bolt fits as it should so nice to have your thoughts - I guess occasional pangs of doubt is par for the course on a major rebuild.

Bryanj:
The rod does not move much for the blade to adjust quite a bit Ted

Sesman:
Hi, Ted. I had the same heart stopping moment with my 550. New chain and new tensioner. I released the bolt and the bugger didn’t move. All is well though…phew.

How’s the build going?

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