Cylinder Head / Valve issues

[80cb750ff]

I realized one of my valve buckets is stuck down.  I did some research and couldn't get the bucket unstuck so I removed the engine and cylinder head.

This is my first time ever going this in depth into an engine, so I'm a little over my skis!

A few questions:  

What all should I do while the head is off?

The pistons have some carbon on the tops, how should I clean them?

How should I clean the cylinder block before I put on a new gasket and reinstall the head (or a new head if mine isn't repairable)?

I've read that sometimes removing the head can cause the base gasket to leak?  How concerned should I be about this?  Am I ok putting the head back on, or is it necessary to change the base gasket as well?

If there is anything else I should know, let me know.  As I said earlier, I'm a little over my skis, so all the information I can get from people who've done this before would be great.

Thanks in advance

[shinyribs]

Your best bet is going to be to download the FSM from the homepage here and read up on what you need to do first.

If you have a laptop, bring it in to the shop with the FSM open and get to work. That's what I do. It's actually very detailed.

[seestheday]

Lots of detail in the FSM like Shiney said.

Here is what I did - from memory (use the FSM for a detailed guide):
- clean everything (the inside and outside of my engine was DIRTY), I had to use lots of chems as well as some mechanical methods (e.g. gasket scrappers, brass brushes, and plastic brushes on a dremel)
- replace cam chain tensioner
- lap values to make sure they are airtight
- get a cb900 cam and install it (cheap performance upgrade)
- get a new good quality gasket set (cheaper than buying everything individually)
- install new head gasket
- replace all gaskets that are easy to get to
- check tolerances on everything

I have a base gasket (came in a gasket kit I bought) and thought about installing it just in case, but I couldn't for the life of me get the base off.  I decided to just leave it and it working fine.

While you have everything apart you might as well give the carbs a good cleaning as well.

[80cb750ff]

Thank you both for the tips.

Have the manual downloaded, used it to remove the head (that was fun, hah!).  Have read that carb cleaner will get the grit off the engine.

Looking up valve lapping now.  I do much better with exact step by step directions, especially with pictures or video - haha!

[seestheday]

In addition to the FSM, while I was putting my bike back together I found these threads on the cb750c site useful:

relapping valves - http://www.cb750c.com/modules.php?name=Forums&file=viewtopic&t=3826
installing head and gasket - http://www.cb750c.com/modules.php?name=Forums&file=viewtopic&t=12228
installing cams - http://www.cb750c.com/modules.php?name=Forums&file=viewtopic&t=12100

[80cb750ff]

Excellent links, thanks Sees!