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General Category >> Rubber Side Down! >> Had to take the head off today
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Message started by Toymaker on 04/13/08 at 16:05:22

Title: Had to take the head off today
Post by Toymaker on 04/13/08 at 16:05:22

So I am wondering, how do I go about timing the cam with the valves?

I have never messed with an over head cam machine.

Title: Re: Had to take the head off today
Post by verslagen1 on 04/13/08 at 16:16:15

The cam always timed with the valves, it's the crank you gotta worry about.

Put the tdc mark on the crank on the mark of the case.
Then there's 2 lines on the cam gear that align with the head and there's one more mark on that gear that should be at 1 o'clock. There's a picture somewhere.

Title: Re: Had to take the head off today
Post by Toymaker on 04/14/08 at 05:58:01

A picture would be great. I figure there must be timing marks somewhere...I just don't know.

Title: Re: Had to take the head off today
Post by justin_o_guy2 on 04/14/08 at 06:37:46

Lines on the cam drive gear lay flat, using the head as a reference. The crank has a mark, too, but cant remember that part.

Title: Re: Had to take the head off today
Post by T Mack 1 on 04/14/08 at 07:22:54

You took the head off ????????? Why??

That's a big project, you really really should have a manual for that. There is a on-line manual on the tech/ref section ....

Taking the head "cover" off is a much less intense project.......

Title: Re: Had to take the head off today
Post by Chopped on 04/14/08 at 07:49:09

With an idea of what you are doing and general knowhow, taking the head off isn't that hard of a task. I have done it twice on my savage and I don't have a manual. Runs just fine...well enough anyways! My problems aren't in the engine.

Title: Re: Had to take the head off today
Post by YonuhAdisi on 04/14/08 at 07:59:51

When I replaced my camchain I timed it by putting the crank on TDC and making sure the cam lobes were pointed down, as long as they are like that, it is timed.

Title: Re: Had to take the head off today
Post by Toymaker on 04/14/08 at 08:41:45

Ready for the best story!!!

I have been noticing more noise coming from the head of late. Since the bike is a 95 and has 10k miles on it, I figured it needed the valves adjusted. Well, about a month ago, I tried to remove the inspection "plug" from the generator side of the crankcase. Durned thing has never been off and you guessed...13 years has seized it up good. As I was trying to free it..DUN...DUN...DUUUUUUN. You guessed it, I cracked it. Not much mind you, but enough for oil to leak. So I cleaned it up, filled the crack with 5-minute epoxy and ordered a new plug.
Well Saturday's ride was nice but the noise was definately more, so I figured it was time to do the valves. I tried again to remove the plug..but nope..no go.

So I removed the generator cover and by drilling two holes in the old plug, placing 2 1/4 inch bolts in the holes and craming the bolts in the vise..VOILA!...the old plug was loose.

Now I could see the paint splash on the crank and proceeded to turn the engine to find TDC. Well, mr Smartypants thought, Let's remove the plug, that way I'll tell when the piston it at the top. OK...needed to see what the plug looked like anyway. Well, after removing the plug, I still really couldn't tell if it was at TDC or noT. So I did the dumbest thing possible. I placed a short wooden dowel in the hole to watch the rise and fall. Well it worked like a charm..however, with the pressure on the valves from the spring, and really no resistance from compression, the crank moved past TDC and SNAPPED OFF MY FREAKIN DOWEL IN THE CYLINDER! Now I hadd no choice but to take off the head....so, 60 bucks later I'll get my bike going...so, there..
DO I FEEL DUMB OR WHAT?!?!?

So, if you good people want to help a happless, stupid bugger (as my wife called me), you help is greatly appreciated! :o :-? :P :-[ :-[ :)

Title: Re: Had to take the head off today
Post by Reelthing on 04/14/08 at 09:09:14

oh! you hit the starter button with the wooden dowel in there?

we have a new hall of fame in the cafe you might want to checkout

Title: Re: Had to take the head off today
Post by verslagen1 on 04/14/08 at 09:12:37

some tips but the pics are gone sorry

http://suzukisavage.com/cgi-bin/YaBB.pl?num=1173305128/30

Title: Re: Had to take the head off today
Post by Chopped on 04/14/08 at 09:47:28

I guess you can chok that one up in the Lessons Learned Folder! No more wooden dowels!

Title: Re: Had to take the head off today
Post by T Mack 1 on 04/14/08 at 10:09:45

Haven't tried it on the savage yet, but a finger on the sparkplug hole, then turn engine by hand and you should feel the air pushing out on the compression stroke.

BUT .... I'm not sure if my hand & finger will fit down into the cavity where the plug is.....

Title: Re: Had to take the head off today
Post by Chopped on 04/14/08 at 10:12:32

could work, but will make it hard to determine whether its at TDC.

Title: Re: Had to take the head off today
Post by T Mack 1 on 04/14/08 at 10:14:42

4D7A63635B7A7D7F66610F0 wrote:

could work, but will make it hard to determine whether its at TDC.

TDC is by the marks, you just need to know if you are on compression stroke or exhaust stroke.

Title: Re: Had to take the head off today
Post by Chopped on 04/14/08 at 10:52:54

Gotcha... I am trackin now

Title: Re: Had to take the head off today
Post by skrapiron on 04/14/08 at 12:25:31

I used a long screwdriver with a handle bigger than the sparkplug hole. To keep it from scoring the piston, I dipped it in some plastikote the night before.

Then, I rotated the crank with a socket and watched the screwdriver rise and fall, each time taking note of the timing marks on the crank. One more spin and Viola! TDC.

Title: Re: Had to take the head off today
Post by justin_o_guy2 on 04/15/08 at 00:01:59

I have some wooden dowel rods I scrounged. If I feel the urge, I use wood. I woulkd think a straw would be long enough to not fall in.
Remember to inspect closely around the plug for dirt & crud before pulling it. I found a stack of junk on mine once.Sand & road grit & grime had accumulated there. A flashlight & a few seconds is all it takes to avoid crap in the cylinder. I ride on an oil over sand road, near the house, maybe thats where it copmes from, I know I need to check, maybe you dont.