cam chain tentioner

[bcknblkbird]

still got a little ways to go before i get to ride got to re-clean carbs, clean tank. while i had it running i noticed the cam chain tentioner had a sizeable l eak, po had used gasket in a tube. so do i just take it off and replace gasket?

[trbig]

Turn the crank so that the timing arrow is on the "C" mark on the timing plate. Then you can remove it. There's three places these leak at. Around the base gasket, (You can make one from a sheet of rolled gasket material, or some Ford water thermostat gaskets work) out of the end around the plug, (Remove the plug, clean well, and silicone it back in) or around the screw itself there is a little O-ring inside the housing.

When done, push the plunger in and tighten the set screw enough to hold the plunger, install the adjuster back onto the motor, then release the plunger by loosening the set screw. Torque both the set screw and nut accordingly, but be careful as it's easy to strip out the bolt in the aluminum adjuster housing.

Tod

[Ivan]

Tod summed it up very nicely.

I would just add that "gasket in a tube", when applied correctly will always beat a paper gasket. Not graphite head gaskets, but any place a paper gasket goes.

My tensioner is sealed by permatex anaerobic sealer, which is some great stuff for machined surfaces.

Also, I really want to emphasize not overtightening the locking bolt. It is very very easy to strip. When tightening the lock nut, it is easy to strip the threads as well. be very careful.

[Crazcnuk]

Also, once you set the tensioner, turn the motor with the wrench, in the direction of the arrow at least one full turn, then recheck.

It may save you a few valves DAMHIK

[dbeardslee]

Since you're going to take the tensioner off anyway, might not be a bad idea to check how much adjustment you have left before you'll need a new cam chain. Do what Tod said for adjustment, take it off, measure how far the plunger is out from the base, loosen the set screw while it's out and let the plunger pop out to the stop and measure again. The difference in the two measurements should give you a rough idea of how stretched the chain is. JAT

[bcknblkbird]

i took it off today and part of the gasket was missing hence the leak.i cut a new gasket and put it back on without lining it up on "c" before or after will this hurt anything? can i now turn to "c" and adjust it? thanks for all the imput!!!

[trbig]

You don't have to take it back out.. just line up the "C" loosen the set screw and nut again.. then tighten it back up. You're done. You probably won't hear a click this time.. but it will put the proper tenssion on it this way.


Tod