How do you adjust

[studebakerjim]

the cam chain tension on a 1981 185S. I am not by it right now and have looked at the service manual.

It says to have engine at idle and and loosen bolt? It looks like several jam nuts in the picture.

Do you loosen the nuts and it sets itself?

Not sure. The oil was silver and I hear a clicking sound like it could be a loose chain.

Thanks for your feedback in advance

[MNATC]

Loosen just the one bolt after it's idling. I loosened mine up a little bit until it ran better, and then closed it. Whole proces of maybe 3-5 seconds. It it's a tapping/clicking sound, it may need a valve adjustment.

[tri again]

yeah, they say do NOT loosen the bolt but loosen the nut ( or the other way around)
for a second
or few till it 'adjusts itself'.

I was/still am a little confused by those directions too.

[MNATC]

The adjusting bolt/nut is all one piece at the base. Just loosen it while it's idling (not trying to take it off loose, but easy it out a little) you can hear the difference in the way it'll run, and then snug/tighten it back up.