Help Something isnt right Timing chain

Folks,

Had my head off replaced head gasket installed all new valve shims. I put the head back on torques it down. Installed cam shafts. torques caps, Cams line up, bolt holes on gears line up. now the problem. I do not think that my timing chain is hooked on crank gear. The chain just spins with NO restirction. turned 19mm nut and chain doesnt move. Is there a way to get the chain connected to crank gear? I read nothing where it stated ensure chain is connected to crank gear. Am I missing something.

thanks
Keith

 

I think as long as you still have the chain without dropping it in, you are ok st ill. Probably something like hold both ends, and feel for the gear, then once you get a tooth on roll back and forth till it seats on the teeth. Never done it myself, hell, taking the cams out makes me nervous as it is.

Someone will be by shortly with a better answer

 

You have to back-track a little bit.
Remove the Cams so you cam get the most Slack you can possible get to reattach the Chain to the Crankshaft Sprocket.

If you Crashed a Piston Crown into an Open Valve ... you'll have to remove the Head.

Take the Rear Chain Guide out.
Start the Chain on the Crank Sprocket.
Have someone help you turn-over the Engine real slowly as you guide the Chain back on to the Crank Sprocket.

Replace the Guide and make sure its seated and locked-in.
Keep the Chain from falling in.

Be sure to Rotate the Crank to T-D-C for reassembly according to the Manual.

 

Re: Help Something isnt right Timing chain (it wont go)

Ok I've read more then I ever want to know about cam chains and crank shafts. I've pulled the cams 3 times now, I've had my wife move the nut back and forth, got the chain connected, put thecams back on trying to keep chain tight so it wont come of crank, NOPE, falls right off.

Here is what I see. I see the gear down inside, but on both sides there looks like something plastic? Does the plastic go all the way around? Is it there to hold chain?

I've tried to pill up on chain to seat on gear no luck. I undeerstand back off and regroup.

I even tried to put it all togeather and then put tensioner in to hold slack, nope,slips right off.

 

Well with over a month worth of worth done and a small forture buying parts from our man Len I got her done, Got that stupid @@@ cam chain on after taking the cams off 3-4 times and the head twice. How did I get it to seat on the crank I took a coat hanger and slipped it down the chain channel and forced the chain to theside which is all it needed. Took her out on the roand first time in13 years. Man does she run nice. I still have a slight hang on the throttle but she idles great. As soon as the oil which is all over the place to include cleaners dries I will do a thorough look over for oil leaks. Going to change the oil just in case I dropped dirt down cavities during the cleaning process.

Now to get her paited. By the way the guys who said to use Sportster pipes. Thanks.. Love thesound..

Paint and get the seat recovered. and I hope thats it.... Sorry Len, LOL