engine rotation

so what is the normal direction of rotation, clockwise or anti-clockwise?

 

Clockwise.

There's an arrow on the Ignition Rotor.
If you are going to reset your Cam Chain Tension ...

Pull the Plugs.
Rotate the engine over by hand using the flats on the Ignition Rotor.

Bring the Engine to a slow, smooth stop.

Quickly reverse the direction to Anti-clockwise to present the Cam Chain Slack before the Auto-Tensioner.

(It shouldn't be necessary ... but, I have an assistant Tap on the Hex Plug at the end of the Tensioner with the butt-end of a Hammer Handle while presenting the Slack before the Tensioner. It just persuades the Tensioner to pick-up any slack that passes before it.)

 

top job, Rick.
clear and concise, as usual.

 

Rick - where did you get a left-handed XJ?

From the timing cover end they rotate counter clockwise (anti clockwise for our friends that speak English rather than American :lol: ).

Quoting from the XJ650 G,H service manual page 14:

"2. Slowly rotate the crankshaft counterclockwise until the "C" mark on the timing plate aligns with the stationary pointer.

3. Loosen the tensioner lock nut and then loosen the stopper bolt. This releases the cam chain tensioner with the proper tension/

4. Tignten the stopper bolt and lock nut."

Stopper bolt torque 4.3 ft-lb
Lock nut torque 6.5 ft-lb

 

THANKS GUYS, NOW I AM REALY CONFUSED.

 

Put it in gear and watch the rear wheel turn while turning crankshaft or listen/feel starter clutch come into play when turning in the wrong direction.
XJs 650,700s,750,900s spin counter clockwise
XJ1100s spin clockwise

 

I'm with MiCarl, turned mine over by hand in 5 th gear while checking valve lash. Motor rolls in the same direction the rear tire rolls.
So do the cams. I was also temporarily confused.

A strong cup of black coffe should set set Rick straight.

 

I'll take a double expresso.

I need it!

Anti-clockwise.
I got it!

Thanks!

 

Anti-clockwise as looking from the left side, right?

 

Yes, unless apparently if it's an 1100.

You can tell by the location of the cam chain tensioner. It will always be in the slack portion of the chain. Since you can't push a chain the slack is always on the side where it comes off the crank shaft. The other side is pulling the camshafts and is tight.

 

yeh, the right side is left.

 

Who's on first?