Topic: '77 550F cam chain tensioner inquiry. In other words....am I screwed :/

[GardenGnome]

I'm going to vent a little first here. I was looking really forward to putting the finishing touches on my top end rebuild and getting the motor back into the frame. I mean that would have been a nice little feather in my cap for the long weekend. The issue however the thing is I was putting the cam chain on the sprocket and was successful with that, but ran into the issue of not being able to get the sprocket on the cam itself (not enough slack) I went to tighten to cam chain tensioner and noticed that there wasn't much slack being given. I took the nut off and tightened the CCT and to my surprise there was no spring back when I released the screw driver.

I took the CCT out, looked it over, and it looked as if it had skipped the teeth that grab the little mechanism that moves the CCT bolt with the spring. I took a little time and tried to '"fix" the issue but only was able to get the bolt to spring back maybe 1/16 of an inch from where I had it tightened.

My question is this. Is this an acceptable amount of spring back or do you feel that the CCT is shot and I should buy a new one. It would be a bummer, but for me, piece of mind trumps going for just good enough. I would greatly appreciate input. On the plus side, if I need to purchase a new one it would free me up for the long weekend to go camping, hiking, fishing the Yellowstone, maybe go to Yellowstone Park. Anyway, thanks for reading and as always I appreciate you taking the time to read and give your input.

EDIT: There's about 23,000+ miles on the motor and I'm guessing that this is the original CCT, if that info matters.

[BomberMann650]

Pics would help us see your predicament.  You have a 550? 

Folks have fixed the teeth on those gears with pliers before.  Turning the screw clockwise should suck the bow in tflat.  Unless its dirty and jamming elsewhere.

The adjuster screw only rotates a little.  It doesn't go in and out like we think a "screw" should.

I made my life a bit simpler when putting the cam sprocket on by pushing the cct bow flat and tightening the locknut there.  Kept it out of the way until I had the sprocket on!  Loosen the lock nut it sprung into position.

[GardenGnome]

I believe I figured out the issue and fixed the CCT. The screw loosens and tightens as it should, but it still doesn't spring back when it's installed in the motor. I was able to successfully get the sprocket on the cam itself and there is very minimal to no slack in the chain. So thank you Bomberman and calJ.

[jonda500]

"slide the sprocket under/through the chain onto the cam. Lower the chain."

I dunno where you find that much slack, in my experience the the chain has always had to be on the sprocket BEFORE the sprocket is pulled up and slid onto the cam?
John