Cam chain tension

[GregTheKeg197]

Question 1: Does this adjuster look too far threaded in to be considered flush as required per manual.

I have the later tensioner style on my 78 with just the acorn cap, no locknut.

My cam is lined up at 12 with mark and chain still has just little bit wiggle on top of cam.

Pistons are tdc

Question 2 - Or Is my cam chain just old and stretched out?
Pics are attached.

 

[5twins]

Yes, your adjuster looks to be screwed in an awful lot. I'd say your cam chain is pretty stretched out. I'd replace it if it was me. If that motor has anywhere near 20K miles on it, it's pretty common to find the chain all stretched out. It's not that the chains are of poor quality, it's just that most weren't checked and adjusted enough. There's also the fact that you have the type D tensioner assembly without the lock nut. I like to say the D stands for "deadly", lol. The acorn cap nut acts as the lock nut for your type D assembly but there's no way to tell if tightening the acorn nut has made your adjustment setting tighter. The tension setting could have been made tighter every time the acorn nut was put back on and running a chain too tight accelerates it's wear and stretching.

 

[GregTheKeg197]

Thanks 5twins! You were one of the gentlemen i hoped would see this and respond! Any topic i search i see you in the thread throwing out knowledge.

 

[5twins]

The advice I always give about the type D tensioner is to upgrade it to a type E. It's a simple, inexpensive parts swap that gives you back the lock nut. See post #22 .....

https://www.xs650.com/threads/cam-chain-tensioners.1056/page-2

 

[5twins]

Also, the fact that your cam chain isn't a very good fit onto the sprocket teeth (your first pic), being loose and not fitting into the teeth well, is another indication that the chain is all stretched out.

 

[GregTheKeg197]

Thank you 5twins. I installed new cam chain.
Both questions from original post were answered with the new cam chain. Time to throw it back together and in the frame!!

 

[5twins]

I would start watching eBay for a type E tensioner assembly. Although all you really need is the plunger and lock nut, you rarely run across those being sold separately. But if you're patient, you can usually find the whole assembly for about $20 .....