Removing the camshaft drive gear and tensioners assemblies

We now need to get the camshaft drive gear out. But first we need to remove all the camchain tensioners to slacken the camchain so it can move. Start by removing the camchain tensioner on the rear/bottom of the head. It has a pretty strong spring so be careful it doesn't fly off or give your knuckles a whack. Remove the 2 screws holding the rest of the tensioner assembly in place then remove the paper gasket and replace it when you reinstall it. This gasket should be replaced whenever it is removed. Unload the tension on the plunger of the tensioner assembly. Inspect the ratchet pawl and see how it works. This is one cool engineering piece. Simple yet very effective, very slick piece. Also remove the low oil switch located on the top of the oil line at the rear of the motor. Discard the washer and replace when reassembling.

Remove the two camchain tensioner guide blades. One is removed by taking out 2 screws on the top of the motor, the other is removed by taking off the nut on the rear of the motor case near the top of the cylinders.


Now remove the cam drive gear retaining bolt from the top of the thrust housing. Be careful not to drop it!!

Now secure the cam chain with some wire so it will not fall into the motor. Now VERY CAREFULLY remove the shaft while paying attention to catch the thrust washers on each side with the magnet tool. DO NOT DROP THESE!!!!!


and wiggle the gear off of the cam chain.

Excellent job so far, have a brew on me.

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