NVDutchie

Guys
I wont go into details .. why beat a dead horse !! right ?
But, it happened to me - Clack, Clack etc.
for the last year I kept telling myself .. Self, order the Phucking CCTees !!
dont procrastinate .. ya well Live & Learn !!
anyways, I've taken it apart and it looks pretty good so far ! no indication of the valves hitting the piston etc. I will do a leak test today .
Question : Do I have to replace the Cam-Chain ?
I know, I know i should do a search but I'm looking for an easy way out !
so for all you procrastinators out there (me included) just order them ! I will be ordering mine from Superdutyd for sure !!

Tons of Info on this site you guys know your stuff !!
Thanks !

HRCA#1

No real reason to replace the chain. If I was completely disassembling the engine, like for HC pistons I would but not for this repair.

98VTRrider

and when you get your manual CCT's, DON'T FORGET TO COVER THE THREADS IN LOCK TITE!!!

Check my recent failure;

Manual CCT failure, lesson for others to learn

I have a real reason to replace the chain, mine broke shortly after replacing the head. It's possible my pistons/cams contributed to the increased damage in my CCT failure though. I wish I had thought to replace it the first time. Or to inspect it for damage.

I'm sure others have reused the chain with no ill effects, but why take the chance? I don't know what a chain costs but it's probably less than another replacement head, and all the time to do the job twice if your chain does fail.

NVD- you may have trouble doing a leakdown test since you've pulled your head already. My piston obviously hit the valves, but I couldn't find any marks or damage on the top of my piston so it may not be that obvious.

A leakdown test with the head still on would have been the best way to find if your valves bent.

I'm not 100% sure of a way to test with the head off, you could flip the head and fill the combustion chamber with some liquid and see it it seeps past any valves. Maybe another member will chime in with a surefire way to tell..

good luck with the repair.

7moore7

98VTRider- I think you're the first person that I've seen who's had issues with their chain braking after a CCT failure/replacement. Most other people have re-used the stock chain with no illl-effects for what it's worth.

Also, on the thread locker part, if you seat the tightening nut very firmly against the CCT body this will help too.

superdutyd

Even better, safety wire them to be absolutely sure. I pin the adjusting bolt nut on the ones i make, as does APE, so there is a hole to wire them. I also added a set screw in the body to lock down the adjusting bolt, for those who don't use safety wire, which i think most people don't.

7moore7

Wow, locktite, safety wire and a set screw. May as well just weld it in while you're there!

NHSH

It seems you got lucky with no real damage you should be good with the existing chain.

superdutyd

Really only need to use one of these options. Safety wire is of course the best option, but for those that don't want to do that, i added the set screw. May seem like overkill, but the life of your engine is relying on that one bolt not becoming loose.

98VTRrider

I had my lock nut fairly tight, I know that.. Just nothing keeping the shaft from vibrating out.

I like the safety wire idea. That will never vibrate off.