hi all -im tuning up my new to me 954 and i have just put 1000miles on it in 3 months-anyway its got 15000 miles on it now and its got the cam chain rattle -i want to change to a manual type tensioner from ape-i read here that someone changed one out in half an hour -do i have to remove the valve cover?[surly it would take more than 30 mins if thats the case]or is that just when replacing with an oem part -i like instant gratification so if anybodys got a fast system 4 replacing this bad boy i would sure appreciate it.are there any drawbacks to ''going ape''thanks again in advance mike;;;;;

 

It's not under the valve cover, it's that thing on the right side to the left of the engine head that sticks out with the bolt and sealing washer on it, not sure on your model, but just remove the stuff so you can get at it, take a few bolts out and put the ape in, not sure if you will need a gasket or not.

 

wow that easy -cool- idid one once before on a kawasaki and i had to get in through the valve cover to un hook the old auto temsoner even though it was mounted from the outside and had to have the motor at top dead center and a bunch of other stuff -well thats a relief i dont have much to worry about then -....thanks mike.....

 

There really isnt anything in the way. The MAP sensor is kinda in the way but can be worked around. However you better have the right tools, when you see how close it is to the frame you may swear a bit without them.

 

Good luck. It is simple however.

 

8 mm ratchet wrench and a 5/8 box wrench cut in half to get to the adjuster once its istalled

 

^ yea the shorty wrench is a must

 

-ok finally got the ape tensioner -you guys wernt kidding when you said it was a pita to put in -i cant seem to get anything on the bolt closest to the frame -it seems that the wrench head is too big[im 6ft 3 and 245lbs my fingers are not petite to say the least] when you say rachet wrench do you mean rachet &socket or an actual wrench that has rachet action [dont have one of those ]ive walked away from it right now [it stopped being fun the 3rd time i busted a knuckle]i will wait and see if any of you guys can clear up theese issues thanks again mike.....

 

yes a ratchet action box end wrench or a (quick wrench) open style 8 mm

mines been slowly leaking oil fromthe gasket for 2-3 thousand miles. completly my fault but still wont tighten it back up. minimal oil leak vs. pita. ill go with a slight oil leak.

i have to do the valves soon anyway, so ill fix it then.

 

^ I have used my ratchet wrench as well. I have however done one for someone else and didnt have that wrench with me. I'm trying to recall exactly what i used but i believe it was a 6" extension, and needed the 1 or 3" extension as well to get enough length, a double jointed swivel and a shallow 8mm socket and ran it right up the frame from the bottom. This was all 1/4 inch drive of course, it was a snug fit but i could weasel the socket onto the head and the extension was just long enough to clear the map sensor and the frame to get a small ratchet on it. But you wont get a 3/8 drive in there.