Another new member

[anonomoose]

the chains looks immaculate but they've spent their lives in oil so not sure how I would know if they needed replacing or not. is it common for the chains to go or is it just the tensioners?

[AMCQ46]

Welcome back. Sounds like this will be a fun project

[tony.mon]

the chains looks immaculate but they've spent their lives in oil so not sure how I would know if they needed replacing or not. is it common for the chains to go or is it just the tensioners?

Just the tensioner- only one will have gone but always replace both.
The chains stretch a little but not enough to cause issues.
You'll find that the cams don't line up perfectly with the top of the head (there's a scribed line across the sprocket) but they'll be near enough taken to the nearest tooth on the cam sprockets.
You can degree the cams in if you slot the sprockets and use a dti to set the cam lobe centres exactly.
In practice this doesn't make or lose significant power.

[Jamoi]

Welcome along dude

[lloydie]

I'll be changing the chains and blades when I build the race motor only because I have the parts already in stock and getting the cams degree in as I have slotted sprockets . :-)