CAM Chain Timing/Tensioner??

[outdoor]

I'm thinking of tackling a valve clearance inspection. I'm unclear what needs to be done with the cam chain tensioner. My interpretations is if the clearances are good, nothing.

if i need to remove the cams to adjust, i need to loosen the cam chain tensioner?? I saw online video that someone paint/markup the chain and the sprocket. I believe that is so when you put it back if you put it to the same mark it is back to how it was? Does that mean you would tension the tensioner until your marks line up??

 

[pvwheeler]

No if you are going to remove the cams the tensioner needs to be removed ( after turning the crank to the spot specified in the manual) mark with paint before you remove the tensioner.
Then after adjustment match up your paint marks and reinstall the RETRACTED tensioner if its a stock one. I have no idea if you are dealing with a manual tensioner.
Theres a lot more to it than that, I suggest you watch some videos and find a service manual. It is a big PITA compared to any other bike I have had.

 

[outdoor]

No if you are going to remove the cams the tensioner needs to be removed ( after turning the crank to the spot specified in the manual) mark with paint before you remove the tensioner.
Then after adjustment match up your paint marks and reinstall the RETRACTED tensioner if its a stock one. I have no idea if you are dealing with a manual tensioner.
Theres a lot more to it than that, I suggest you watch some videos and find a service manual. It is a big PITA compared to any other bike I have had.

when you put the cams back in, do you just align chain with paint marks and put tensioner back and it should be at the correct tension? I know there is a bunch more detail as to removing connectors, wiring, oiling etc.... Just the manual does not seem very specific when it comes to what you do with the cam tensioner. Or the videos i've watched.

 

[pvwheeler]

If its the factory tensioner you get the chain back on lining up your marks, then reinstall the RETRACTED tensioner and if everything is still good you push the cam chain guide back toward the tensioner as shown in the manual to release the tensioner to do its thing automatically.

 

[OldRider]

Outdoor, this job will be much more complicated than you're assuming it will be. The CCT will fully extend out when you take it off and will have to be reset before installing it. Marking the chain and cams will help keeping it in time unless the chain jumps a tooth or two on the bottom sprocket. You will need to have a shop manual and note where all the timing marks are. Measuring the valve clearance and installing the correct shims can be very daunting too. Put the wrong shim in and everything has to come back apart. If you don't have any experience doing this job and/or a good background in how all this works, things can go bad in a hurry. A mistake can be very expensive.

 

[wera688]

Retracting the stock CCT to reinstall is a pain! I used a vice with rubber on each side of the vice to help prevent slippage. Push and twist. I bought a Graves manual CCT for one of my S10, much easier.
Also I use this shim calculator http://www.dirtcloud.com/valveshim no calculations necessary. just make sure you correctly measure and read your feeler gauge. Remember the installed OEM and Hotcam shims will have their thickness labelled.

 

[outdoor]

Outdoor, this job will be much more complicated than you're assuming it will be. The CCT will fully extend out when you take it off and will have to be reset before installing it. Marking the chain and cams will help keeping it in time unless the chain jumps a tooth or two on the bottom sprocket. You will need to have a shop manual and note where all the timing marks are. Measuring the valve clearance and installing the correct shims can be very daunting too. Put the wrong shim in and everything has to come back apart. If you don't have any experience doing this job and/or a good background in how all this works, things can go bad in a hurry. A mistake can be very expensive.

I get all the other steps. Just trying to clarify what exactly you do with CCT. you push chain guard until it hits the cam chain tightener. The instructions nor are any of the videos i watched clear. I under stand all the other steps like K up , T up rotate 271, 72, 360, etc......, shim up shim down..

just the CCT in question

 

[Jlq1969]

I get all the other steps. Just trying to clarify what exactly you do with CCT. you push chain guard until it hits the cam chain tightener. The instructions nor are any of the videos i watched clear. I under stand all the other steps like K up , T up rotate 271, 72, 360, etc......, shim up shim down..

just the CCT in question

If you haven't seen this video, it will help you understand what they said above about CCT RETRACTED….1hour 20 minutes….

 

[holligl]

Retracting the CCT is not difficult, but is a learned technique. My first time, I was applying too much pressure, and not backing off when it had resistance. I can reset one in about 3 minutes now. I recommend wearing gloves as the edges can be sharp and will cut your hands.

Definitely do the job using a manual, and follow it closely. My first time I removed the cams after checking the 2nd cylinder, rather than turning the the starting position. Marks allow you to realign it all, but better to do it as described.

Sent from my SM-S918U using Tapatalk

 

[Loren Moto]

I'll answer your primary question, no, you do not need to take the CCT out if you are only checking the valves. If all the valves are in spec, button everything back up and you are good to go. The work comes in when the valve clearance is out of spec. With the valve train still intact, figure out which feeler gauge fits each valve bucket and make a note of it. After you've figured out the current clearance on each valve, it's time to take the cams out. This is when you rotate the crank into the proper position and mark the chain and cam sprockets (you said you understand this part, so that good). At this point, zip tie the cam chain to the INTAKE cam sprocket and remove the cam chain tensioner. Now you can remove the exhaust cam and replace the shims with the appropriate size. And so on and so forth.