I am new to this forum and am looking for some help, I just rebuilt my 93 TRX300EX and need some help with the timing, I followed what my manual said to set the crank to TDC and then put the cam sprocket in and insert the can shaft lobes down, so far so good, my question is after I get my timing marks lined up even with the top of the head like it says to and make sure I'm still TDC and then add the tension to the chain it moves my cam shaft about the distance of one tooth off one direction or the other (front or back of motor), and no matter which way to try to compensate it still doesn't end up right, so does it matter if the timing marks are EXACTLY right after tension has been put on the chain, or what could be my problem, anything would be greatly appreciated, need it to be running by end of May. Is my chain worn out or is it supposed to move that much when tension is applied to the chain?

 

if it has the original chain in there i would replace it. when i rebuilt my 250x engine the cam didn't move at all when i put the tensioner in.

 

I love these timing qustions lol well you say every time you set it up with the timing marks it is always off well there is a solution to that always set it off 1 degree to the right then when you turn the crank shaft to the left to get the timing chain to fully get on the cam sproket it should be fine and no the timing does not have to be exact i prefer it to be a couple degress off the way you explain it, it will run a couple degress off but ton to much i run my 3 wheeler 2 degrees off it gives it more power.