Cam chain master link won't go together

[hard_y_rd]

Are these supposed to be incredibly tight to go together or do i have a dud? Did anyone drill the holes out a little to make these go together easier? I have the smaller '73 prick chain.

 

[CDNTX650]

I did once, on a SOHC honda 500/4 i rebuilt. Barely any bigger, but i could not for the life of me get the fuckin thing on. Even with the tool, once on it peened fine. I think i even did it to a drive chain once. River link, plate would not for the life of me press on. Reamed a bit. On it went and peened fine. Obviously last resort.

 

[hard_y_rd]

Ya, this link is no longer than 9/16". I tried getting it together just to see how hard it would be before i actually get in on the cam chain. The little bastard probably would be lost in the sump by now. I'll make sure i stuff up the hole good before assembly.

 

[jd750ace]

I have had to push them with 2 flat plates and a 6" C-clamp before to get them swaged into the plate holes. If they still have decent drag going together it should not be a problem. They are often designed for the plate to cold work the pin on the way in, a type of cold forging, to increase fatigue properties. If it slipped on with no friction, it may have a tendecy to wear the pin over time. This is all theory, and your mileage may vary, but it's just what I was taught about roller link chain years ago.
$0.02

 

[hard_y_rd]

That makes sense.

 

[azman857]

I wish someone would make a HY-VO chain converter kit. It would last longer than the present roller chain.

 

[Tim of DO THE TON]

Did you completely tear your engine down or just the top end? I've used endless cam chains on the 2 engines I've torn down, but you need to split the cases for that.

 

[hard_y_rd]

I completely tore it down. It's a 73 motor so i don't think an endless cam chain is available. Maybe i'm wrong. Too late know. I already closed up the cases.