Can you turn the engine while the cam chain tensioner is out?
Removing the cover or not, do not turn the engine by hand while the tensioner is out, because the chain may jump and mess the timing up. You guys realizes that if you set the tensioner by the ‘rattle method’ then the cam chain may be running looser than desirable.
What to do about a cam tensioner on a Harley?
This is a modal window. Bob walks us through a Harley cam chain tensioner inspection, a common issue on the Twin Cam 88. He removes the exhaust, floor boards and everything in the way of the cam cover. At the cam cover, he reminds us to remove bolts in a star or cross pattern to ease pressure evenly.
How to adjust chain tension on a Suncoaster?
Suncoaster likes this. To adjust the manual tension on my bike (an air cooled I4), well the first thing is you can’t adjust it with the valve cover off as there is a guide inside the cover which slightly deflects the chain between the inlet and exhaust camshafts. The way I do it is ……
What causes the flip flop action on the cam chain?
Bottom line, whether you can hear it or not, any slack in the cam chain creates this flip/flop action. It is just more pronounced (loud) the looser the chain. Just tightening up the chain till the noise abates may not have completely removed the issue. Only a chain set to eliminate virtually all slack, by feel, with the engine stopped will.
How do you set a cam chain tensioner?
To set the tensioner adjustment, rotate the engine forward while screwing the tensioner bolt in. When you feel the engine tensioner parts (guide, rollers, etc.) make contact with the moving cam chain, back the tensioner bolt out 1/4 turn and tighten the jam nut.
What happens to cam chain when timing chain wears?
The remaining problem, which applies regardless of whether the engine is stock or modified when the timing chain has worn, is that the cam chain tensioner will have quite a job trying to take slack out of the valvetrain. When a timing chain elongates it may not do so in a uniform way and parts of the chain may be tighter or looser than others.
Can a plunger be removed from a chain tensioner?
Once the chain tensioner has absorbed the chain slack it is removed and the plunger position is noted. Remember to either install the chain tensioner stopper tool or remove the center bolt and spring, depending on tensioner design, so that the plunger doesn’t extend as the tensioner is removed.
How many pins between sprockets on twin cam engine?
I like to span around 6 – 8 pins between the sprockets on a twin cam engine. Unicam engines are trickier and the number of pins you can measure is usually less. It is important to try and measure across multiple pins because the variation between new and old chain measurements will be more pronounced this way.
How do you change cam chain tensioner on Shovelhead?
My old Shovelhead had adjustable pushrods. To adjust them you put the lifter on the base circle of the cam, took out all the up and down shake then did a total of 4 turns then tightened the locknut. Then you waited until you could spin the pushrod between your fingers before rotating the engine.
What kind of shoes to replace cam chain tensioner?
A better choice for shoe replacement would be the CYCO tensioner shoes that are made from Polymide-Stanyl plastic; supposedly the best plastic for high pressure applications.
What is the chain tensioner on a F650?
The Chain Tensioner cylinder is a miniature hydraulic cylinder, acting as a self adjusting unit on the cam chain guide, pressurized by the engine oil pressure. If its tiny check valve is leaking slightly, it will reseat and allow you to install the Large Bolt easily.
Are there any problems with the Harley Davidson cam chain tensioners?
Harley, of course, made a fairly expensive upgrade including a new oil pump and hydraulic cam chain tensioners run by the engine oil and re-designed shoes. They also went to a new style chain. The new design is very reliable and as of like 2009 I haven’t heard of any problems with them.
Is there a problem with hydraulic cam chain followers?
Some believe that the problem still exists even with the new hydraulic cam chain followers, but we are not seeing that at all. Our opinion is that if you have an affected model that you take action as soon as you can and avoid the impending problem all together since you can’t predict when it will happen.
How much does it cost to replace twin cam chain tensioner?
The inspection and replacement of the inner shoe is expensive and involves removing the oil pump and cam, the outer one shoe is easier but you have to check both of them. Our dealership wanted $400 just to inspect the shoes, which they wouldn’t do because they said if they get that far into it they might as well just replace them.
How can I see if MY Cam tensioner is bad?
At the cam cover, he reminds us to remove bolts in a star or cross pattern to ease pressure evenly. With the cover open we can see the cam tensioner shoes if the front is in bad shape the rear might be as well. To see the rear without removing the rocker box use a flashlight and mirror. Wathc the full project here.