Can someone help clear this up.

[Beamish]

Right! I am sorry for yet again raising the CCT question, but I am without a bike
I have bought a set of new CCT springs (front is just starting to chatter)
Because I have removed the rear CCT I can not measure the chain deflection between the sprockets. Has anyone checked the cam chain tension after fitting manual CCTs?. What is the ball park figure? I have asked DG to give me a clue on how to set the springs up to no avail (prob busy I am not having a go), so I asked a few friends, I am told that to fit the springs without an amount of preload 5-6lbs will render them ineffective.
If you order a new set are they wound fully in? and you then release pressure after fitment of CCT? I am now totally confused!
Should I cut my losses and buy new?
Should I buy manuals and hope that at some point I will get the info for setting the cam chain tension correctly.
PLEEEASSSSE HELP
P.S I have read the CCT threads INTENSLY! I do not have the facilities to manufacture a bolt to convert old to manual and without good set up procedures for manuals I am not going to shell out again.
You guys are the best bet for the RIGHT answers
Thanks in advance for your time.

[genisis]

You can download the manual from this site. I know it's not much help but at least you can scan that while you wait for a guru

[Beamish]

You can download the manual from this site. I know it's not much help but at least you can scan that while you wait for a guru

Got it, no way it shows setting up springs or manuals.

[Beamish]

A very helpful guru has kindly PM,d me with some top info, but feel free to post your input. I am sure it can't be only me who is thick as a whale omelette.

[LotusSevenMan]

I have a theory (by Miss Ann Elk for those Pythonesque amongst you).

Std original fitment CCT's last pretty well. We have all heard of high mileage examples etc. Often Honda genuine replacement ones fail much quicker. My thoughts are that the CCT works at approx half distance extended/compressed however you want to look at it while in their place of work ie. the engine.
The new ones come FULLY compressed with the spring effectively over wound & with the 'key' in place so as to make fitment easy. BUT, how long has it been in storage like that? A month or two. No way! Think of shipping via container etc etc. Probably six months to a year minimum while passing through from manufacture to shipping to distributor to dealer etc. So all that time over wound. Not good eh?
Original ones fitted at the factory are fitted pretty much straight out of the box so are in their proper state (without being over wound). Why Honda can't supply them in relaxed state with the key to wind it back etc?
I think it is case some idiot mechanic can't sort it out so tries to fit one with the plunger extended. He then presses it down enough to just start the thread on the socket cap retaining bolts. He then winds down the bolts hoping to 'pull' the CCT into the correct place................ then strips the thread in the aluminium hole!!! That's my theory anyway so.....!

[Beamish]

I have a theory (by Miss Ann Elk for those Pythonesque amongst you).

Std original fitment CCT's last pretty well. We have all heard of high mileage examples etc. Often Honda genuine replacement ones fail much quicker. My thoughts are that the CCT works at approx half distance extended/compressed however you want to look at it while in their place of work ie. the engine.
The new ones come FULLY compressed with the spring effectively over wound & with the 'key' in place so as to make fitment easy. BUT, how long has it been in storage like that? A month or two. No way! Think of shipping via container etc etc. Probably six months to a year minimum while passing through from manufacture to shipping to distributor to dealer etc. So all that time over wound. Not good eh?
Original ones fitted at the factory are fitted pretty much straight out of the box so are in their proper state (without being over wound). Why Honda can't supply them in relaxed state with the key to wind it back etc?
I think it is case some idiot mechanic can't sort it out so tries to fit one with the plunger extended. He then presses it down enough to just start the thread on the socket cap retaining bolts. He then winds down the bolts hoping to 'pull' the CCT into the correct place................ then strips the thread in the aluminium hole!!! That's my theory anyway so.....!

Fair comment, I have fitted the CCts with new springs just waiting for spark plugs before rebuild and all important test start!

[sirch345]

I have bought a set of new CCT springs (front is just starting to chatter)
I have asked DG to give me a clue on how to set the springs up to no avail (prob busy I am not having a go)
Thanks in advance for your time.

My understanding was that the springs came with full fitting instructions
Is that not the case

Chris.

[Beamish]

I have bought a set of new CCT springs (front is just starting to chatter)
I have asked DG to give me a clue on how to set the springs up to no avail (prob busy I am not having a go)
Thanks in advance for your time.

My understanding was that the springs came with full fitting instructions
Is that not the case

Chris.

Yep they did but after following instructions and advice the end result was not good, I am not new to engineering I (it is my primary employment)but am not ruling out a mistake on my part. Will post further thread once I know what damage has been done to the engine.

[sirch345]

I have bought a set of new CCT springs (front is just starting to chatter)
I have asked DG to give me a clue on how to set the springs up to no avail (prob busy I am not having a go)
Thanks in advance for your time.

My understanding was that the springs came with full fitting instructions
Is that not the case

Chris.

Yep they did but after following instructions and advice the end result was not good, I am not new to engineering I (it is my primary employment)but am not ruling out a mistake on my part. Will post further thread once I know what damage has been done to the engine.

Oh I see Not good then

Chris.

[Beamish]

Not the end of the world somehow the rear cyl RE sprocket moved one tooth. Do not understand how this happened ( have you tried to move the chain off the sprockets without removing cam chain guide )

Anyhoo CCTs seem ok but I have not put any mileage on them yet. My advice to any first timers would be to get someone to have a quick look who has completed a successful change or replace with manual CCts and again get someone who has lots of experience to have a look. Too many variables can cause problems .

Thanks to everyone who has tried to help me through this pain in the ass procedure. I better not have to do it again (i would rather do a timing belt on a ford Galaxy its easier now thats saying something)

[sirch345]

Not the end of the world somehow the rear cyl RE sprocket moved one tooth. Do not understand how this happened ( have you tried to move the chain off the sprockets without removing cam chain guide )

I know exactly what you mean

(i would rather do a timing belt on a ford Galaxy its easier now thats saying something)

That may be so on your Galaxy, but I wouldn't say that about changing the cam-belt on my Vauxhall Combo diesel van, it was a right pain in the rear end

[LotusSevenMan]

Well all I can say to you two is, don't try a Lotus Esprit S3. Scary job changing the timing belt on that one as being mid engined the belt etc is effectively in the middle of the car just behind the fire wall!!!!!!!!!!

[Beamish]

Well all I can say to you two is, don't try a Lotus Esprit S3. Scary job changing the timing belt on that one as being mid engined the belt etc is effectively in the middle of the car just behind the fire wall!!!!!!!!!!

I dont own a Galaxy but people carriers in general are a pain. I do not envy you tackling a Lotus mate

[LotusSevenMan]

Well it's still going OK!!!!!!



LSM

[Dazjm]

Is that the submergible version?!?