cam chain tensioner ???

jrecken · 01-29-2015, 03:43 PM

A fellow on you tube is doing a performance upgrade on a 1600 engine.
When he was assembling the tensioner he pushed it down and then tighten a set screw to hold it down. He then installed the tensioner on the head, put a spring and and then an end cap and then he loosened the set screw until he heard the noise of the tensioner making contact with the chain he then retighten the set screw. My question is ARE WE SUPPOSED TO LOOSEN THAT SET SCREW TO KEEP TENSION ON THE CHAIN from time to time ??????

**Top Cat** · 01-29-2015, 03:45 PM

No we are not

**ringadingh** · 01-29-2015, 04:17 PM

Good answer Tim, the screw is just used to hold the tensioner in place until its assembled. Once and your done.

jrecken · 01-29-2015, 07:24 PM

thank you, I was wondering about that because I had never heard of doing it before.

Vulcan Bill · 01-29-2015, 08:31 PM

Uh-oh.

mick56 · 01-30-2015, 02:36 AM

So with the tensioner in place and the screw tightened, how does it follow the chain as it stretches, and why is there a spring in an automatic system if not for that purpose.

dshelly · 01-30-2015, 10:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mick56

So with the tensioner in place and the screw tightened, how does it follow the chain as it stretches, and why is there a spring in an automatic system if not for that purpose.

If you had a service manual it would explain everything.

redjay · 01-30-2015, 10:29 AM

The screw is to hold the mechanism in the collapsed position for installation only.

What you are doing by undoing the screw is allowing the assembly to extend.
Once the assembly has extended and the part the screw was holding has passed the screw you can then tighten the screw all the way in. The screw no longer has a function at this point.

Once you undo the screw the spring in the mechanism pushes the rod out onto the slipper assembly that presses on the cam chain.

The tensioner has a pawl and ratchet that allows the assembly to move forward towards the cam chain but not backwards thus making the assembly self adjusting.
As the cam chain wears the slack is taken up automatically by the spring loaded ratchet and pawl assembly.

mick56 · 01-30-2015, 11:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dshelly

If you had a service manual it would explain everything.

I've got one, and when i can be arsed to decypher it's ridiculous fucked up system i will read it, meantime how about you answer my question.

mick56 · 01-30-2015, 11:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by redjay

The screw is to hold the mechanism in the collapsed position for installation only.

What you are doing by undoing the screw is allowing the assembly to extend.
Once the assembly has extended and the part the screw was holding has passed the screw you can then tighten the screw all the way in. The screw no longer has a function at this point.

Once you undo the screw the spring in the mechanism pushes the rod out onto the slipper assembly that presses on the cam chain.

The tensioner has a pawl and ratchet that allows the assembly to move forward towards the cam chain but not backwards thus making the assembly self adjusting.
As the cam chain wears the slack is taken up automatically by the spring loaded ratchet and pawl assembly.

There you go, explained in plain English, no need to forage through a bollock's of a manual, a fellow of the Empire has trodden that path before, and is willing to pass his knowledge on to anyone prepared to learn. Fucking brilliant !

**Top Cat** · 01-30-2015, 04:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mick56

There you go, explained in plain English, no need to forage through a bollock's of a manual, a fellow of the Empire has trodden that path before, and is willing to pass his knowledge on to anyone prepared to learn. Fucking brilliant !

You mad Bro ?

mick56 · 01-30-2015, 04:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Top Cat

You mad Bro ?

No mate,did me and my kinfolk's miss something.

https://www.google.co.uk/search?q=pi...ml%3B300%3B374

jrecken · 01-30-2015, 09:41 PM

thanks redjay for the description of how it works. now it makes sense

VulcanE · 01-31-2015, 09:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by redjay

The screw is to hold the mechanism in the collapsed position for installation only.

What you are doing by undoing the screw is allowing the assembly to extend.
Once the assembly has extended and the part the screw was holding has passed the screw you can then tighten the screw all the way in. The screw no longer has a function at this point.

Once you undo the screw the spring in the mechanism pushes the rod out onto the slipper assembly that presses on the cam chain.

The tensioner has a pawl and ratchet that allows the assembly to move forward towards the cam chain but not backwards thus making the assembly self adjusting.
As the cam chain wears the slack is taken up automatically by the spring loaded ratchet and pawl assembly.

This statement is correct, and easy to understand. The only reason for tightening the set screw back in is so you won't lose it.

dgconstable · 01-31-2015, 11:02 AM

When you have it out and look at it, it is pretty self explanatory what that screw does. I can only have one purpose. Also if you google it there are lots of folks that explain it.

If then you don't understand it might be time to find someone to do the work for you otherwise you might just bugger something up. :-)

01-29-2015, 03:43 PM	#1
jrecken Member Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: Mt Clemens, Mi Posts: 76	cam chain tensioner ??? A fellow on you tube is doing a performance upgrade on a 1600 engine. When he was assembling the tensioner he pushed it down and then tighten a set screw to hold it down. He then installed the tensioner on the head, put a spring and and then an end cap and then he loosened the set screw until he heard the noise of the tensioner making contact with the chain he then retighten the set screw. My question is ARE WE SUPPOSED TO LOOSEN THAT SET SCREW TO KEEP TENSION ON THE CHAIN from time to time ?????? Login or Register to Remove Ads
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01-29-2015, 03:45 PM	#2
Top Cat Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Peoples Republic of New York State Posts: 15,154	No we are not __________________ Tim "TC" Conley VBA #9 2011 Victory Kingpin mine 2013 Victory Boardwalk -hers [LEFT][COLOR=#000000] [SIZE=4]
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01-29-2015, 04:17 PM	#3
ringadingh Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Newmarket Ontario Canada Posts: 35,387	Good answer Tim, the screw is just used to hold the tensioner in place until its assembled. Once and your done. __________________ 2002 Nomad aka Bountyhunter VBA #27 VROC #18951
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01-29-2015, 08:31 PM	#5
Vulcan Bill Sr. Member Join Date: Jul 2013 Location: Mesa Az Posts: 1,400	Uh-oh. __________________ ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- '05 1600CL. Originator 18" Harley wheel mod, Dobeck TFI, True Duals, Mutazu hardbags, Flanders handlebars n' a bunch more. *Sometimes I miss the good ol' days but most times I'm just glad I survived them* Login or Register to Remove Ads
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01-30-2015, 02:36 AM	#6
mick56 Sr. Member Join Date: Nov 2013 Location: The Newforest, England Posts: 4,664	So with the tensioner in place and the screw tightened, how does it follow the chain as it stretches, and why is there a spring in an automatic system if not for that purpose. __________________ when this you see, remember me, and bear me in your mind, let all the world say what they may, speak of me as you find.
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01-29-2015, 07:24 PM	#4
jrecken Member Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: Mt Clemens, Mi Posts: 76	thank you, I was wondering about that because I had never heard of doing it before.
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01-30-2015, 10:29 AM	#8
redjay Top Contributor Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Ontario Posts: 6,927	The screw is to hold the mechanism in the collapsed position for installation only. What you are doing by undoing the screw is allowing the assembly to extend. Once the assembly has extended and the part the screw was holding has passed the screw you can then tighten the screw all the way in. The screw no longer has a function at this point. Once you undo the screw the spring in the mechanism pushes the rod out onto the slipper assembly that presses on the cam chain. The tensioner has a pawl and ratchet that allows the assembly to move forward towards the cam chain but not backwards thus making the assembly self adjusting. As the cam chain wears the slack is taken up automatically by the spring loaded ratchet and pawl assembly. Last edited by redjay; 01-30-2015 at 10:38 AM.
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01-30-2015, 09:41 PM	#13
jrecken Member Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: Mt Clemens, Mi Posts: 76	thanks redjay for the description of how it works. now it makes sense
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01-31-2015, 11:02 AM	#15
dgconstable Member Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: PEI, CANADA Posts: 351	When you have it out and look at it, it is pretty self explanatory what that screw does. I can only have one purpose. Also if you google it there are lots of folks that explain it. If then you don't understand it might be time to find someone to do the work for you otherwise you might just bugger something up. :-)
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