cam chain tension

[Ken Talbot]

Moving backwards across the guides is not a problem by itself. The mark would also line up that way, but the tension would still be on the wrong side of the chain. If you do the adjustment when the chain is tight on the side towards the adjuster, it could actually push the adjuster back into its housing, resulting in even more slack that you started with. Wish I could find the drawing someone did a while back to illustrate how this works....

[Lee]

What does a lose cam chain sound like in the first place?

[rover]

Something like dragging a log chain across a tin can LOL a dragging sound that comes from the top of the engine. Mostly it depends on how loose the chain is. Simple matter to adjust if the tensioner is working

[TopCatGr58]

Hey Lee,

It doesn't sound much different than a properly adjusted one, just perhaps a bit more metallic rubbing kind of sound. A really poorly adjusted one can eventually lead to a very quiet sounding engine, cause it'll jump cam sprocket teeth putting them out of time, and cause the valves to get hit by the pistons, and then the engine won't run at all!
T.C.