Timing cover for cutaway tool

I had a bad spindle bore for a few years. Before the notched cover, I had to calculate the position to accurately set the cam chain by measuring many dimensions. Although the bore was badly blown, it functioned fine. My main fear was if the spindle spun and moved the oil hole of the spindle out of the downward position.

Upon swapping cases and doing machining on the replacement, I bored the spindle hole and successfully sleaved the spindlIe. I sold this case set to a member in the UK.

I really think that if your spindle is tight in the spindle bore as it should be, then you should be able to set the cam chain slack without the tool. I think the tool is an aid when the spindle bore is bad until you can split the cases and get the proper repair completed.

That being said, and as cryptically mentioned earlier in this thread (hobot), the reason the spindle bore get trashed in the first place is when idiots jam blocks, or like items, in the timing gears and chain to keep the cam from spinning when removing the cam nut. The unsupported soft spindle bore is then easily wow'ed out.

toppy said:

Acotrel as for better cam timing the after market performance cam in my engine had 3 keyways so by using one or another and the more usual trick of advancing the idler and retarding the cam you could fine tune the timing. Unfortunately I don't know what make the cam was an tje hardening had failed so it is being changed for a PW3 which I noticed this 50 thou more lift than the old cam.

Chain tension will affect cam timing an problems with poor running can result if its to loose or tight. As later cam chain tensioner have a rubber face for the chain to run on this does were an adjustment my be needed.

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I suggest the slack in the chain can only have a major effect if the lift rate on the cam is severe. I usually set the cam timing with nil tappet clearance and so get a couple of degrees variation, each time I recheck. I was always under the impression that a coup[le of degrees was critical, however after changing the timing both ways in 5 degree steps, I don't believe the couple of degrees error is critical. My standard 850 cam is running at about 12 degrees ahead of standard timing - gives greater torque, however creates a gearing problem with the CR gearbox. (when you increase the overall gearing, first becomes too high for a clutch start).
I'm a pretty rude mechanic and to tighten a nut on a sprocket, I usually trap a ring spanner on one of the teeth on the sprocket, and then let the lever action against the chain stop the sprocket from turning. So the pull becomes more vertical and subject to leverage from the spanner.

Chain Slack is liable to cause IGNITION WANDER , which could lead to tears .

Cant stand putting 5.000 Lb of ' stretch ' on the chain tightening the nuts . Much better to have a locking device .
a stretched in part chain will go loose tight loose tight etc , as it runs & the sprockets rotate .

Without the cover if the timing gear pinnion shaft is loosened in the case , the teeth meshing might get out of sorts ,
crank gear to tiing gear , this could produce hard debri and lead to all sorts of bothers . So if its not a weak point in the
design , it is one that deserves due care and consideration whilst wrenching in those parts .

A pinion secureing device is a Service Tool . Adjusting without requires consideration of the implications .