Cam tensioner fitted wrongly?

[Drew400]

Hi all,

My next expression of lack of experience...

The Haynes manual shows some chap neatly fitting the cam tensioner cap and two bolts... looks easy. However, on mine the blade stands proud and requires considerable pressure against the springiness of the blade to locate, never mind tighten, the two bolts. Clearly, something's not right and so I've not tried to fasten it in, pending responses from you.

Have I done something else wrong?

1. the blade appears to be seated in the U bracket at the bottom of the barrels
2. the spring adjuster is compressed so there's no pressure from it on any part of the tensioner blades/chain

Thoughts anyone?

Ta (again),

D.

[Orcade-Ian]

Hi,
if you are absolutely confident that the lower end of the blade is seated correctly in the U shaped block in the tensioner arm and that block is fitted and seated correctly, then the blade will stick up (not sure exactly how much as I haven't accurately measured a new one recently)  The next stage is to fit the top cap and press it down to put the curve into the blade to push against the chain (I usually use a wooden dowel for pushing as screwdrivers often slip) It's now relatively easy to fit the high tensile bolts - and I always loctite those.  Then you can release the tensioner bolt to take up any slack.  It will still need further adjustment when the engine is running.
Are you using new parts?
Let us know how you get on

Ian

[Drew400]

Thanks Ian,

Yes indeed, all my parts are new ones from DS: u-shape bottom, blades, chain. Only the adjuster springs are not new.

Maybe I just need to push harder than I thought - it does indeed bend the tensioner blade towards the chain.  Naturally, I don't like to force things without checking!

Cheers, D.

[Trigger]

Drew are you saying that once the blade is in with the plastic cap on, you put the top cap on and you can not get the two 6mm flange bolts to go in the threads???

[Drew400]

That's it Trigger.

If you look at this picture from my cam shaft query of a few days ago, you can see the blade standing proud:

http://www.sohc.co.uk/index.php?action=dlattach;topic=7335.0;attach=7725;image

I have to push down hard, bending the blade towards the chain, to get the top cap down to the top of the cylinder head. I haven't got as far as trying  to locate the bolts as it didn't feel right so I stopped pushing and wrote this thread.

Hence my question about having done something else wrongly, to add to all my other learning!

Ta,

D.

[Trigger]

Looks a little high but, i am not with it to put my finger on it. I would try to locate it at the bottom again and try it with the M6 bolts. The blade needs to flex a bit but, may be because it is new. Is the blade a OEM or repro?
Put the cap and the 2 bolts on it. The bolts are 16mm long and you should be able to get at least 6mm of the bolt in before any presure is needed. You will not snap the blade but, could pull the thread.

[Drew400]

Thanks again.

The blade is a repro from DS. I'll take it out, compare it to the old one (maybe try popping that one in too to see how they compare). I have no doubt I'll be able to locate the bolts, I just didn't fancy pressing down too hard to do so.

Job for the weekend, probably.

Cheers, D.

[Clem2112]

Be careful..... The small damper location block that sits in the horseshoe arm can sometimes pull out when the tension blade is withdrawn !.....
Usually a snug fit but worth watching as the blade is lifted out.

[Drew400]

Gotcha, ta, D.

[Lynx]

Hi Drew,

That really does not look right. No force should be needed to position it right. Looks like you forgot to lock back the tensioner plunger with the locking bolt before assembling the crankcases  .

[Drew400]

Thanks Lynx,

I compressed the springs and then tightened the locking nut on the outside of the crankcase before joining  the crankcase halves. So currently, the damper should be well clear of the chain/tensioner. Thus, if I slackened off the locking nut now, it would decompress and spring into the chain to tighten it.

Half I done that correctly and thus countered your suggestion?

Cheers, D.

p.s. I have to split the cases again having forgotten to fit the starter cog retention bolt... oh joy!

[Lynx]

No. That sounds right.

[Drew400]

Thanks Oddjob,

The U-shaped bracket is clear (and shiny) when peered at down the hole after removing the blade... and the rubber damper is fastened to the blade end.

Hmmm???!!

D.

[Drew400]

I think I will have to do yet more dismantling to get to the bottom (like what I did there?) of this. Guess where I'll be this weekend?!

Cheers,

D.

[Trigger]

That's life Drew but, at least you are learning. You have all winter to get it right and you will in the end. A book can not tell you everything.