Got the APE in this afternoon. Sure was nice to start the 14 up and listen to her purrrrr.
I tried the APE suggested technique of installing with the adjuster all the way out and then turning it in until resistance is felt.
Also tried your technique with the dowel, Grn. Pushed it in until the chain guide up against the chain. Marked the dowel with a pencil. The length was precisely the same as that of the adjuster bolt after adjusting by feel....so your dowel technique is good. There is no reason a guy couldn't use the dowel technique to pre-adjust and then back off a half turn to feel tension release. TIghten back up a half turn so the pre-adjustment is back where you had it. That way you'd be sure you had the pre-adjust correct from the dowel measurement and also by feeling the tension.
One thing I have a slight issue with, I noticed the tensioner tightened a full half turn MORE as I adjusted the tension bolt with my fingertips while manually rotating the engine 360 degerees past TDC. That is to say, TDC cylinders 1 , 4 seems to be the tight spot in the chain. A half turn of the motor to TDC 2 , 3 = an additional half turn of the adjuster bolt inward. That is the loosest spot. The next 180 degrees back to 1,4 TDC there is no change in the tension. What I am saying is it is NOT a bad idea open the crankcase sensor cover so you can experience what is happening with the cam chain as you turn the motor by hand. Also, seems wise to first turn the motor by hand with the APE newly installed. If by chance anything was seriously off kilter and the chain jumped a tooth or two, you would not blow your engine which I am pretty certain you would if the thing jumps time with the motor running.
* Last updated by: Rook on 5/4/2013 @ 5:27 PM *
'08 MIDNIGHT SAPPHIRE BLUE Now Deceased