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Front Cam Chain Guide Replacement
- Thread starter Downeaster
- Start date
That is where the chain has been joined, and then peened over.
That is the master. They are riveted. They don't have a removable clip like many rear drive chains do. But, you usually don't need to break the chain. If you slip the bearings off both ends of the cam, it should drop down enough so you can slip it out from under the still connected chain.
Jake Violando
XS650 Addict
Making a lot of progress! My tensioner for cam chain is removed but the chain is still so tight I can't lift the cam high enough to slip off the bearings
As I said, everything rises up when you remove all the top bolts/nuts. You may need to put the 8 large acorn nuts back on the studs with some spacers and snug them down. That should pull the cylinder and head back down a little and that may be enough to allow you to get the bearings off.
I am Carbon
shade tree mechanic
I like to leave the valves alone until I have removed all the head bolts and nuts then rotate the engine using the kicker. the valve springs usally push up the rocker box way easier than prying the rocker box up.
Make sure the guide is centered in the tunnel too.
this video will help with that
https://www.youtube.com/edit?o=U&video_id=DlW_5Xexxe8
.
Make sure the guide is centered in the tunnel too.
this video will help with that
https://www.youtube.com/edit?o=U&video_id=DlW_5Xexxe8
.
Jake Violando
XS650 Addict
I'll try that soon. You are amazing sir! You have a plethora of knowledge in trying to soak up!
Jake Violando
XS650 Addict
Almost done! I can't get the jug off the pistons! I've been at it forever! I need to walk away for 5 mins
Jake Violando
XS650 Addict
Hahaha I'm an idiot. This was my problem the whole time. Didn't unscrew the oil tube fastener (female end) from the base of the engine. Was hitting the jug. Here's how it all looks. Need to clean my piston up while I'm in here. And the valve area. Also gotta find out how to extract the old plastic from the guide. Now I await parts in the mail.
Attachments
Paint stripper will clean the carbon from your Pistons and combustion chamber. Now that you took the Pistons out, probably should go to a machine shop and check your bore. At best have them do a light home and buy new fitted rings. Also consider if not already done, change your 4 outside rubber washers on your rocker box to copper. They are cheap and a good upgrade. There are several upgrades you should consider since you have the engine out and apart.
There are lots of things you should be doing but frankly, I don't see that happening, lol. Do consider this a good learning experience, things you've learned that can be applied the next time you tear this motor down. Don't worry, you won't forget them. It won't be long enough before you need to go back in there. They will all still be fresh in your mind.
Jake Violando
XS650 Addict
I just want it to last me summer and then tear it down in the winter.i pray it doesn't break down when I go to the beach this year. Bobber style haha. Uncomfy though. Anyways I just await parts now. My 2 long spacers that go in to the jug are kinda bent. I can't find new ones anywhere! I will keep searching
Jake Violando
XS650 Addict
Got my new front guide in, pistons back in, my jugs on, and can't seem to get the timing chain to slide over the cam sprocket. It's not a new chain I just slid the old one off with the bearings off the cam.
^have the tensioner removed, and bearings removed and loop the chain over the sprocket, then slip the bearings on. Put the rotor on TDC then make sure the mark on the sprocket is as straight up as possible, with the chain tight in front. Make sure the sprocket is centered and both pairs of bearings pushed inward tight. Then install the tensioner and double check.
Jake Violando
XS650 Addict
The bearings are off and rear tensioner but it just seems way to tight to get it on the sprocket
Jake Violando
XS650 Addict
You're absolutely right. I'm gonna try it later after work, I had to step away last night.
Have you torqued down your bolts yet? When I put a NEW chain on mine i had the same issue. I fixed it by SLIGHTLY over-torqueing the head bolts to compress the new gaskets enough allowing the chain to slip over the cam gear. Once on, make sure to back the bolts off and re-do all to correct torque specs.
One idea, try holding the cam chain up with a coat hanger and turn the crank over. Could be chain dropped down a bit and is not riding true on the crank sprocket. I recall having to play with mine a little when reassembling the engine I put in my 1982 then the chain went on easy.
