BT7 Timing chain install

while waiting for parts i thought i would start a check list on installing the timing chain.

i was reading thru the manual and it talked about using the same number of shims as came out from behind the crank to be sure the gars are aligned. two questions here

1) my engine did not have any shims behind the crank gear. so i thought i might go ahead and check to see everything is in line. To do that do i have to put on both gears and then take them back off when ready to install? or can i measure somehow? i would assume this must be done with the chain off.

2) my parts list and the manual do not mention any shims behind the cam gear. are there any on the cam and if not, how do you adjust run out?


Thanks

oh and any extra suggestions you have for this part of the job... feel free to let me know.

Thanks

Drone Dog,
You do have to install both gears to check alignment. You are correct that there are no shims on the cam, just on the crank.

The cam is located by the thrust plate behind the gear but there are no shims - if you find you don't have enough end float (book says .003 to .006), you can either try to find a thinner plate or find someone with a surface grinder to skim it a bit. I may have been just lucky but I have never had a thrust plate that needed skimming (or too thin either), however I do have a small pile of used ones just in case eaceful:.

If you haven't changed the cam or sprocket, you shouldn't need anything different than what came out (assuming it was set-up properly before). BWT, you don't really need to fully seat the cam sprocket, just enough to ensure it is running true and you can then push it back against the trust plate to see how it aligns with the crank - the crank sprocket does need to be fully seated and is usually a bit of a challenge.
Dave