850 head bolt tension

[Jinks]

The manual says the head bolt tension is 27 ft/pd is this correct as it seems too low. Also if I put the front cam chain slider in the crankcase bottom location it takes a great effort to place it in the head location but the maual says it can not float at the bottom where it seems comfortable?

[bwringer]

Yes, that is the correct torque figure. On air cooled engines, the head studs are very long and designed to be slightly elastic so that they can stretch without deforming as the cylinders and head expand and contract with temperature.

As far as the slider, it's very common to find that the cam chain has folded over or kinked in that area, not allowing the slider to seat fully. If the chain won't pull free, try rotating the crank back and forth just a little while keeping tension on the chain.