Constant valve adjustment remedy/causes? SOHC

[shinyribs]

I've run the valves three times on the chopper and they always tick. I usually set them at .003'' intake-.004'' exhaust.  Since they have been noisy I started using the FSM recommended .002''/.003''. Same thing.

I'm fixing to pull the valvecover off now and have a look-see. Is there anything I should look for as far as worn out parts? Where and what in particular should I investigate?

[TOOLS1]

Cam followers, and the oil passages in the cam towers. And make sure the pennies are tight.
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[shinyribs]

Bingo dude. None of my followers look good. #1 exhaust is the only one with a bad ridge. All three exhaust follower has ridges, but 2-4 is visible, but you can't feel them. All the intake followers are good. Cam lobes seem OK, but haven't gave them a real close inspection yet.

Another question : I notice for each pair of valve that they seem to sit a sort of bucket in the head. Cranking the engine over by the starter fills three of them up with oil real good. But the second from the left (over #2 cylinder)  only fills up a little. Plenty to bath the lobes in that area, but not like the other three. What's up there?  Sorry for not knowing any of the names. Time to pull the head and give Fred a good cleaning?


Oh yeah, I hope I'm looking at this wrong but it seems there are NO cam bearings. It just rides in the towers? Please say I'm wrong on this.

[shinyribs]

I figured this was better than me trying to fumble through an explanation.Enjoy!

[Lucky 1]

When you set valves do this:

Set the exhaust to .003 thousands but then go back and see if a .004 will slip in.
Then you will get it right.

If you set them at .003 and .004 it is no wonder you had noise.

One other thing... I used to work at a dealership and all the mechanics noticed that as the
motorcycle owner owned the bike and got more familiar with it ,the more noises they would hear
and could drive themselves crazy. And the mechanics.

Check them ,adjust them ,and then don't worry for a while.

[TOOLS1]

"One other thing... I used to work at a dealership and all the mechanics noticed that as the
motorcycle owner owned the bike and got more familiar with it ,the more noises they would hear
and could drive themselves crazy. And the mechanics.

Check them ,adjust them ,and then don't worry for a while. "


TOOLS

[shinyribs]

Good point Lucky,but sometimes it's good to investigate. I would expect some valve noise out of any engine that is solid lifter,or whatever you would call this setup.But I could adjust the valves on this motor and they would start clacking again at around 100-150 miles.

Upon closer inspection three of my followers have chipped faces. And the cam lobes to match them A 78K cam and followers should bolt right onto this head,right?  

[shinyribs]

Will the cam chain tensioner come out thru the chain slot with the head still on?

[shinyribs]

Nevermind. Dumb question. New question : do nickels go in dry or with a sealant?

[Lucky 1]

What you are seeing is normal. Those are servicable parts.
Start using synthetic or synthetic blend oil.

I do not see anything alarming.

As long as the parts are smooth to the touch. And they look smooth.
No scoring.

[Lucky 1]

Yes, but up MUST attach the old cam chain to the new cam chain to do that.
Pull the new on through with the old one. and do not let the pressure off of it, and let it drop off of the bottom sprocket. Have someone turn the engineby hand while you hold the two ends of the cam chain.

[Lucky 1]

The must have sealant or they will leak.

[shinyribs]

Thanks! What kind of sealant is best?


And number one oil passage on the cam tower was blocked. It's why that lobe and follower died. Cam and followers out of hackjob look brand new. Very little wear. Swapping parts over now :)

[TOOLS1]

Three bond!!!!!
TOOLS

[shinyribs]

Hmmm...what about high temp RTV? I was very careful not to have any ooze out.I dont need any more silicone balls plugging up stuff and killing cams. I really hope the RTV is Ok cuz...


DONE!Once again I am impressed with the brutal simplicity of the motors. A 10 year could do this.

Thank you hackjob!


I just got on a roll and couldn't stop. If I need to go back in there with some threebond just say so. It wont hurt my feelings. What else was I gonna do? Watch TV?

[shinyribs]

I went to change the oil on this bike and all sorts of little balls of silicone came out of the drain hole in the pan. Probably 15-20 of them. Every single cover on this bike was slathered with silicone when I got the bike. Even the cam chain tensioner housing. I dont know if I oughta run this motor or tear it apart and give it a good cleaning.And I don't understand why the oil filter didn't catch anything. It has zero silicone in it! I hate to pull down a motor in good health,but I'd hate to burn up another cam,or even worse. Is there really a 100% positive way to get a good cleaning done without pulling the engine down? I dont mind the work ( I enjoy it actually)I just hate to have this bike down longer than absolutely necessary.

[TOOLS1]

You should have watched TV. The silicone, you added would not gum anything up, but it won't seal the nickels either. On the silicone mess, I would remove all the covers, and the oil pan, and rinse it out with mineral spirits. If, you have one of those siphon feed spray guns, use it.
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[shinyribs]

Alright. Well,I guess I'm off to source some 3bond. I'm so close to just pulling this engine,stripping and redoing this bike ( i lost a sizable hunk of bondo the other day) and just going through this engine. I've considered building a fire breather out of this engine then putting it in my cafe,then putting the SS motor in this bike. I'd have the cost of one motor build,but the benefit of upgrading both bike's engines at the same time. I just hate to bore out a perfectly healthy set of cylinders for no reason.

[TOOLS1]

An F engine in an early 70's chopper?
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[shinyribs]

Why not man?  They all look and sound the same. Only difference is the F  motor actually has power :)