Cam Chain Tensioners

[Cajunrider]

Originally Posted by ndbigfish

Mitch,
I'm not sure you would have to check both tensioners. Mine were the same; front and rear. I suspect that the stretch would be similar on both chains.

I figured so. I think I've read on here a while back where sometimes they are a little different. I won't go through the trouble of pulling everything out just to check the front tensioner. I ordered gaskets, o-rings, and extenders last night. Everything should be in later this week. I'll probably just wait until after the Hill Country trip to put them in being I have some travel left. Thanks and see you in Leakey.

[Cajunrider]

Originally Posted by ndbigfish

Mitch,
I'm not sure you would have to check both tensioners. Mine were the same; front and rear. I suspect that the stretch would be similar on both chains.

I figured so. I think I've read on here a while back where sometimes they are a little different. I won't go through the trouble of pulling everything out just to check the front tensioner. I ordered gaskets, o-rings, and extenders last night. Everything should be in later this week. I'll probably just wait until after the Hill Country trip to put them in being I have some travel left. Thanks and see you in Leakey.

[Cajunrider]

Originally Posted by ndbigfish

Mitch,
I'm not sure you would have to check both tensioners. Mine were the same; front and rear. I suspect that the stretch would be similar on both chains.

I figured so. I think I've read on here a while back where sometimes they are a little different. I won't go through the trouble of pulling everything out just to check the front tensioner. I ordered gaskets, o-rings, and extenders last night. Everything should be in later this week. I'll probably just wait until after the Hill Country trip to put them in being I have some travel left. Thanks and see you in Leakey.

[jd01]

Mitch- Good luck with the extenders. I know I had to get that crossover tube out of there before I could get at the front tensioner.

ndbigfish- If you decide to go with the Thunder kit, you'll most likely have to rejet your carburetor, as it will really suck a lot of air. I did the Coyote kit mod, which is the lesser expensive version of the Thunder kit (but pretty much the same thing) after removing the crossover tube. I ended up going to a 170 main jet from the 132 main I had and went with a 46 pilot jet up from the 45 pilot I had. Mileage stayed at about 39/40 mpg and runs great. Went with an 8-1/2 inch K&N filter on the right side.

[jd01]

Mitch- Good luck with the extenders. I know I had to get that crossover tube out of there before I could get at the front tensioner.

ndbigfish- If you decide to go with the Thunder kit, you'll most likely have to rejet your carburetor, as it will really suck a lot of air. I did the Coyote kit mod, which is the lesser expensive version of the Thunder kit (but pretty much the same thing) after removing the crossover tube. I ended up going to a 170 main jet from the 132 main I had and went with a 46 pilot jet up from the 45 pilot I had. Mileage stayed at about 39/40 mpg and runs great. Went with an 8-1/2 inch K&N filter on the right side.

[jd01]

Mitch- Good luck with the extenders. I know I had to get that crossover tube out of there before I could get at the front tensioner.

ndbigfish- If you decide to go with the Thunder kit, you'll most likely have to rejet your carburetor, as it will really suck a lot of air. I did the Coyote kit mod, which is the lesser expensive version of the Thunder kit (but pretty much the same thing) after removing the crossover tube. I ended up going to a 170 main jet from the 132 main I had and went with a 46 pilot jet up from the 45 pilot I had. Mileage stayed at about 39/40 mpg and runs great. Went with an 8-1/2 inch K&N filter on the right side.

[Cajunrider]

I removed the breather backing plate and noted that the crossover will have to be moved out of the way. Does it slide out easier from the right side. Looks impossible to pull it out from the left side. Once it's out of the way, the front tensioner shouldn't be too bad to remove.

[ndbigfish]

I'll bite on the thread high jack since the cam chain tensioner discussion is over. Sorry Mitch I walked right on ya!

I tried the Caddman type conversion, but didn't care for the exposed filter element and the 9" diameter element size. I want the "no cover" style so I can keep the filter element mostly covered. Your jet size is interesting. I re-jetted when the V&H exhaust went on, so I'm at #125 main jet and a #42 for the pilot jet. Your mileage is encouraging as I get 36 mpg on the Interstate at 70 mph and about 40 mpg on the back roads at 60 mph.

[ndbigfish]

My cross over tube would not come out without removing the intake between the cylinders, then it came right out. It would only slide back and forth a little if I remember correctly. I removed it all to make it as easy as possible. The cap screws in the intake were not too bad to remove, plus when I put on the new filter/intake I can keep the crossover tube; which was about $60 (I think).

[cactusjack]

Originally Posted by Cajunrider

I removed the breather backing plate and noted that the crossover will have to be moved out of the way. Does it slide out easier from the right side. Looks impossible to pull it out from the left side. Once it's out of the way, the front tensioner shouldn't be too bad to remove.

That crossover just isn't going to come out of there, Mitch. You have to destroy it to remove it. You may be able to shift it enough to access the tensioner. This is what prompted me to remove my crossover.

[jd01]

Originally Posted by cactusjack

That crossover just isn't going to come out of there, Mitch. You have to destroy it to remove it. You may be able to shift it enough to access the tensioner. This is what prompted me to remove my crossover.

+1 on CJ's comment. I cut my crossover tube to get it out, and worked it out on the right side, otherwise you would have to remove the intake, being careful not to drop or get anything in the engine when removed.

[chuckster131]

Mitch,
You can get the front tensioner out with the cross over tube inplace. Just remove the right side cover and there is (2) Phillips screws that hold the tube to the backing plate, take those loose to the point they are almost completly out.

Now to the left side, remove all the filter componets. Cover, filter, backing plate, ect. Be careful there are two small square nuts loose in the cross over tube that will fall out. These are the ones the Phillips screws thread into. You can remove them with a small pen magnet, just so you do loose them.

Then now, you can remove the tensioner. You will need a allen key that has a ball end on the long portion, this is the ticket !

[Cajunrider]

I do have the ball end allen wrenches and will attempt getting the front tensioner out this way. I'll dig around for some patience before starting. Thanks Joe and all others for the suggestions.

[Top Cat]

I have the extenders fron Chuckster and this is exactly why I won't attempt to put them in. Sounds like way to much of a pain in the ass to me. Got 40,000 miles on my 07 and will wait till absoultly neccessary before I try to find someone to put them in for me.

[crapper]

i just did the job on the weekend and it wasn't nearly as bad as i thought......after i pulled off the caps and determined that i was out of travel, i just kept on going.
got the front one off after removing air filter and backer plate.
not much room but enough for skinny fingers.............