Hi Steve
it makes me wince to look at it. I'm having second thoughts about the damage. Still not bought the parts yet but will do in the next week. Just waiting for the cash to roll in and yes, I think it will be a worth while investment.
This is a Hardcorps memorial project..... never say die!
The other ingredient in a successful rebuild is of course time. I have even less of that at the moment than I do cash. Ah well, looks like I'm going to have a Christmas project after all.
Thanks for your encouragement.
I'll try to get back on line tonight and have a bit of fun with you all.

 

Hi Henry ..............
Thoughts are with you Mate - sure things will go well, as soon as you get started. I saw a full set of gaskets on e-Bay De - Germany - may be cheaper than your local supplier......any little may help !

 

wow, I sat and read this whole thread. glad I did. I been working on my bike over then winter and been conflicted if I should try Henry's approach to the temp fix. Sad to see the tensioner didnt hold up to the fantastic repair.. Im just not financially ready for a complete engine breakdown. *sigh*

 

LOOKIT
Ebineezer came to visit !
Good to see you again !

 

Ebinz,
Sorry I haven't got back sooner. There's a lot to say about this and I was wondering when someone might drag this thread back into life again. Glad you have, it's an issue that's going to affect all Cane owners at some point or other.
I have some pictures that will give you further food for thought.
I still don't think my repair was completely off the wall but I put too much tension on the chain which caused the metal of the tensioner to fail. THis was a complete trial and error experiment and eventually I knew I was going to have to get the engine out and do the job properly. Now I have.
For the record, the alternator chain had stretched approx 15mm compared to the new one. That my friend is completely absurd. Almost impossible, but sadly true. The cam chain and oil pump chains were almost as good as new.
So..... if you think you can make the temp repair, go with the suggestion of using high temp rubber hose for the tensioner rod support and don't give it too much tension. Allow some slack so that when you put the alternator shaft back in and the final tension gets added you are not over doing it.
I'll elaborate later with pictures.
Keep thinking. Your ideas on the matter would be welcome.

 

Here's the old and new chain. Spot the difference.


For a chain that's only about 300 mm long this looks like it's been stretched between two oil tankers having a tug of war contest.
What the hell does this engine do to the chain to cause this effect?
15 mm stretch?

 

Here's the chains, old and new in side profile. See how the old one sags so much.
Neither the oil pump chain or the cam chain showed quite this amount of wear.

 

Here's one picture of the new cam chain tensioner. The pin through the shaft is still in place. Once it's out the ratchet and spring start doing their job. The spring is quite weak. It takes only a few grammes to compress it.
I was way over the top with my initial assessment in how much force should be applied to the chain. Given how much it was worn it was possibly not possible to take up the slack anyway. if however the ratchet has broken, as can occur, you only need to apply mild pressure to keep it from slopping about before you can afford to do the job properly, and you will have to save some pennies for that.


:icon _twocents:

 

Henry,

Thanks for the update. I guess I can use the word "exciting" or maybe.. interesting to see your results. It is mind boggling to see how much stress/wear/stretch that chain has taken, yet confusing, that there is so much stretch on the chain.. & why such a weak spring? Also I would like to ask.. Has the new tensioner been updated in any way to save this occurring again? I just received my tax refund from uncle same and probably could afford the repair. Yet scared to put so much time & money into the repair.. for it to reoccur a little farther down the line.

PS: HI PETE!! How u been buddy?