120 deg crank position

[SkinnyPinny]

Hi all,
please would somebody please remind me,
when splitting/rejoining the cam chain, due to replacing a shim or two,
I should line up the cam sprockets with the pillar marks, with the link should be somewhere in between sprockets,
should this be at TDC for number 1(left) or number 2(centre) ?
I seem to see both mentioned,
hopefully the crank wont move once the chain is split,
but if it does, need to be able to re time
thanks in advance,
Stuart

 

[SkinnyPinny]

just to be clear, its a 120 deg SFC
ta

 

[sfcpiet]

LH cylinder, ie #1.

Where is #3 mentioned? Whoever did that needs to be tarred and feathered...

piet

 

[SkinnyPinny]

Thank you!

 

[SkinnyPinny]

Would somebody point me toward the thread that had a picture of the cam chain indicating which side the clip should be,
I know its here, but I cannot find it,
From memory the clip should be on the cylinder 1&2 side, i.e the left side of the chain,
but I have learnt not to rely on my memory!
thanks
(SFC1000 engine)

 

[sfcpiet]

Would somebody point me toward the thread that had a picture of the cam chain indicating which side the clip should be,
I know its here, but I cannot find it,
From memory the clip should be on the cylinder 1&2 side, i.e the left side of the chain,
but I have learnt not to rely on my memory!
thanks
(SFC1000 engine)

Correct.

piet

 

[SkinnyPinny]

thanks again Piet,

 

[henrywillms]

Piet is of course correct, but only if you want the clip to stay on.

 

[Dellortoman]

Does it matter which side the connecting link clip is on? I'm pretty sure mine is on the right side.

 

[piranha-bro2]

Does it matter which side the connecting link clip is on? I'm pretty sure mine is on the right side.

Nup - as long as the open end is facing rearward.

 

[Andy]

Perhaps it’s just a 120 thing, but it’s been mentioned previously (probably Piet!), that there is so little space between RHS of the chain and a main bearing boss that it’s just possible for a joining link clip to make contact and rub, depending on individual motor tolerance.
I suppose it’s like not turning your fuel taps off, the chance of a problem is small but the cost could be huge.

 

[sfcpiet]

The basic casting is the same for all triples. Clearance to the main bearing boss can be critical and the chain clip can be swiped off under certain circumstances if installed from the RH side of the chain. Depends a bit on how precisely the crank has been installed and fixed in the cases. I've found witness marks of the chain rubbing on said boss as well as missing clips... both times the clip had been installed on the right. Can't imagine how the connecting link hung on without simply falling out. The pins of the connecting link are just that tiny amount longer that they can bridge the gap to the casting.

Installing from the left is a bit fiddly but avoids any future problems.

piet

 

[The Sock]

This, from the Handbook that came with mine: