Question about cam/crank sprockets alignment
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Road Warrior
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 1,945
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From: Victoria, Australia
Question about cam/crank sprockets alignment
I'm about to finish up a cam install on the 09 Ultra. When following the procedure to measure the cam/crank sprockets alignment, I see that I have a .005 difference between the top of the cam sprocket and the bottom of the cam sprocket. The measurement at the top is just on .010, while the bottom is at .005.
In other words the sprocket is 'tipped' a wee bit towards the cam chest on an angle at the top.
The bearings were installed with a Georges Garage install tool exactly in accordance with the instructions, and the cam plate is perfectly flat against agains the cam chest, and I have 'pushed' the cam and crank sprockets towards the engine as instructed before taking the measurements.
Now .005 isn't much, but I thought I'd ask to see if anyone else that has done a cam install has seen this before.
I have a thicker space on the way to eliminate the .010 gap at the top which will put .005 thou on either side of the crank sprocket. Should be fine-- but again just checking t see if this is common.
Thanks for any feedback.
In other words the sprocket is 'tipped' a wee bit towards the cam chest on an angle at the top.
The bearings were installed with a Georges Garage install tool exactly in accordance with the instructions, and the cam plate is perfectly flat against agains the cam chest, and I have 'pushed' the cam and crank sprockets towards the engine as instructed before taking the measurements.
Now .005 isn't much, but I thought I'd ask to see if anyone else that has done a cam install has seen this before.
I have a thicker space on the way to eliminate the .010 gap at the top which will put .005 thou on either side of the crank sprocket. Should be fine-- but again just checking t see if this is common.
Thanks for any feedback.
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Road Warrior
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 1,945
Likes: 4
From: Victoria, Australia
OK-- let me ask the question another way... for those of you who have done your own cam install, was your cam sprocket parallel when you measured the alignment with your crank sprocket?
Or could you see a wider gap between the straight edge at different places?
Not referring to offset here, just parallel. I know what the offset is and I need a .010 thicker spacer than I have on hand to fix that.
Surely someone can reply, and all replies are much appreciated.
Or could you see a wider gap between the straight edge at different places?
Not referring to offset here, just parallel. I know what the offset is and I need a .010 thicker spacer than I have on hand to fix that.
Surely someone can reply, and all replies are much appreciated.
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Road Warrior
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 1,945
Likes: 4
From: Victoria, Australia
Thanks but I have the spacer I need to bring the sprockets in alignment. What I am referring to is the slight 'angle' the cam sprocket has with reference to the crank sprocket.
When I measure across both sprockets, the top of the cam sprocket is tilted .005 towards the rocker boxes. By reference, if you were to hold a CD at arms length straight up and down, tilt the top of the CD to the left a little bit and see how it is no longer parallel (or straight up and down).
I hoped that helped explain, and thanks for pitching in Dr.!
When I measure across both sprockets, the top of the cam sprocket is tilted .005 towards the rocker boxes. By reference, if you were to hold a CD at arms length straight up and down, tilt the top of the CD to the left a little bit and see how it is no longer parallel (or straight up and down).
I hoped that helped explain, and thanks for pitching in Dr.!
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Road Warrior
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 1,945
Likes: 4
From: Victoria, Australia
No probs Drew-- it was difficult to explain properly from my end.
I was wondering the same thing-and also wondering if maybe the actual sprocket just isn't 'square' to its axis.
I hope someone can come back that has actually seen this before, or could confirm that their individual measurement was dead flat.
The spacer I will install will provide for exactly .005 on either side of the cam sprocket. I'm pretty sure there is enough slack in the cam/crank sprockets chain to provide for that small differential.
I'm not really worried about it- but do wish I would have done an alignment check with the OEM cams in place. No requirement to do so however, and didn't think about it.
Cheers Drew!
I was wondering the same thing-and also wondering if maybe the actual sprocket just isn't 'square' to its axis.
I hope someone can come back that has actually seen this before, or could confirm that their individual measurement was dead flat.
The spacer I will install will provide for exactly .005 on either side of the cam sprocket. I'm pretty sure there is enough slack in the cam/crank sprockets chain to provide for that small differential.
I'm not really worried about it- but do wish I would have done an alignment check with the OEM cams in place. No requirement to do so however, and didn't think about it.
Cheers Drew!
Road Captain
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 565
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From: Palmyra Missouri
What are you using for a straightedge man, I had that kinda optical illusion and I then used a paralle bar and make sure you are holding it against the sprocket correctly, going from little sprocket to big sprocket seems tougher to get alinement than going the other way, BTW do you have the bolts snug while checking?
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Road Master
Joined: Aug 2008
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From: Vegas Baby!!
I'm with reaper22 on this one. Make sure your straight edge is really straight. If it is, double check to make sure the sprockets (check both) are on the shafts squarely and snugged up. Good luck.
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Road Warrior
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 1,945
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From: Victoria, Australia
Thanks soft 02--good point--haven't measured it -- got to get a stand for the dial indicator first. I have no reason to suspect it isn't within the 'generous' .012 spec.
What I can do later this morning before work is turn the crank to a different spot and measure across the sprockets again to see if any difference. Not a great telltale but as an indication it may work. What do you think?
What I can do later this morning before work is turn the crank to a different spot and measure across the sprockets again to see if any difference. Not a great telltale but as an indication it may work. What do you think?