Camshaft Install

[Guest]

Trying to button up this rebuild and having trouble with the cams. So I have the exhaust cam bolted down with the 2 up and the 1 90 degrees off that per the manual. Problem is once I put in the intake cam there is no slack on the chain to actually get the intake cam in place. Any ideas? Thank you

[hannibal]

First, what bike?

Make sure the cam chain isn't bunched up on the crank sprocket. Can you rotate the engine with just the exhaust cam installed?

I'm trying to envision what you mean when you say "once I put in the intake cam there is no slack on the chain to actually get the intake cam in place". Do you not have enough slack to put the intake cam in position under the chain?

[Nessism]

Did you remove the cam chain tensioner?

[TheNewGuy]

1977 suzuki gs 750. The tensioner is off. I have the engine at tdc and the exhaust camshaft lined up and bolted down. The manual says I can slightly rotote the motor at this point which does give me enough slack to get the intake cam in but then im obviously no longer at tdc. The engine does rotate with just the exhaust cam installed. Sorry trying my best to explain. So once I put the intake cam under the chain the chain is too tight to full get the intake cam "down" in place.

[Nessism]

Sounds like (as hannibal mentions) that the cam chain is bunched up around the crank.

[chuck hahn]

I agree with the chain and crank explanation. Take the intake cam out and get the chain unstuck. Take bungee and go through the cam chain and wrap the bungee around the frame and hook the hooks together to hold the chain up. Start he cam install process over once the chain is held up.

[TheNewGuy]

Sounds like (as hannibal mentions) that the cam chain is bunched up around the crank.

Can I get that unbunched without taking the motor back apart?

[TheNewGuy]

I agree with the chain and crank explanation. Take the intake cam out and get the chain unstuck. Take bungee and go through the cam chain and wrap the bungee around the frame and hook the hooks together to hold the chain up. Start he cam install process over once the chain is held up.

Thanks will do this tonight. I had it zip tied to the frame but iy must have slipped

[chuck hahn]

Depends if its bunched at the back or front of the crank sprocket.

[chuck hahn]

Get the exhaust cam and the caps on. Remove the bungee while holding the chain up and install the intake cam.

[TheNewGuy]

Depends if its bunched at the back or front of the crank sprocket.

Ill take a look after work. Thank you.

[TheNewGuy]

Get the exhaust cam and the caps on. Remove the bungee while holding the chain up and install the intake cam.

Will do thanks again for the help

[Nessism]

Can I get that unbunched without taking the motor back apart?

Should be no problem. Hold the cam chain up with your hand while rocking the crank one way and then the other until the chain extends. It shouldn't take more than a few degrees of rotation to get the chain loose. Worst case, you gotta take the exhaust cam back loose. Before installing the intake cam be sure to reset the crank to 1-4 T and position the exhaust cam correctly.

[rapidray]

First off, you can NOT bolt the exhaust cam down BEFORE you put the intake cam in also. Put the exhaust cam in with the marks in the correct location and then install the intake cam with the correct pin count on the cam chain. Only THEN do you install the cam caps & torque the bolts.
Ray.

[GregT]

First off, you can NOT bolt the exhaust cam down BEFORE you put the intake cam in also. Put the exhaust cam in with the marks in the correct location and then install the intake cam with the correct pin count on the cam chain. Only THEN do you install the cam caps & torque the bolts.
Ray.

Yep, that's how it's done. Don't futz around doing it any other way....