Re: Carbs leaking, starting problems (still)

Posted by seestheday on Jun 12, 2012; 5:53pm
URL: http://vintage-and-classic-hondas.81.s1.nabble.com/Carbs-leaking-starting-problems-still-tp4022717p4022838.html

I think I'd rather have the threading on the head go than the bolts.  The DOHC valve cover bolts are unique and I'm not sure where to buy them.  If you're not sure, it was probably the threads in the head that gave out and not the bolts.  The head is aluminum, and the bolts are steel.  Steel is much stronger than aluminum.

Which ones broke?  Was it the ones on the outer edges, or in the centre?
There are posts that the bolts go into that can break.  Happened to me (http://honda-cb750-s.456789.n3.nabble.com/Heli-coil-Timesert-question-td3931333.html).

If it's on the edge you can fix it with a heli-coil while it's mounted in the frame.  If its one of the centre ones you're probably going to have to pull the engine to get access to drill it out straight.

Also, seriously, go out and buy a torque wrench.  It won't always help (mine broke under the torque specified in the FSM and I suspect it was already mostly broken) but it will help a lot of the time.