Finally on the trail again!!!!

Well, I finally got my newly aquired '99 FE400 back together after replacing the old aluminum cam gear with an updated steel one and replacing the timing chain and one rocker assembly that the bearing was down in. Being this is my first Berg, I didn't realize the problem before I bought it, but the guy had the valves adjusted so tight to keep it fron rattling that after I adjusted the valves, I knew something was wrong. But I got her back going and took her for little spin today and everything seems fine. One little note to anyone who has yet to replace the aluminum cam gear with the steel one though. The steel one is not as thick as the old one and if you use the original bolts that hold the gear to the cam, you will have problems. Make sure to get shorter replacement bolts or cut the old ones down a bit as they will hit the inside of the rocker cover. Or what I did was put a lock washer on mine and that seemed to shorten them about right.

Jay

The outer ring with the teeth is the same as the old sprocket but they narrowed the inner plate on the new one. So you don't have to worry about the chain running true, just make sure the bolts are shortened some how.

Jay

Doug,

If it has never had any updates, you may want to change the timing chain and cam gear. As timing chains can stretch over time like with any engine. You should also check the roller bearings on the rocker arms as well. The old aluminum cam gear could be to blame for metal flakes that are seen when changing the oil. It's not hard to do this yourself, just get the manual off of this site and it is pretty simple. The new chain and cam gear run about $110 US and new rocker assemblies run about $120 each. I decided to replace the complete rocker assembly rather than change the bearing for the ease of the process. I am far from an expert on the Berg as I have not had mine long. But with all the helpful people on this site, you should not have a problem that you can't handle.

Jay