Removing the Head

I recently did my first valve clearance job. (Pretty easy thanks to the write ups here) While removing the valve cover I noticed the inside hold down bolt on the left exhaust side was almost falling out.

When using the shim tool I had no problems tightening it down using that hole to remove the shim.

I put the cover back on, new gasget and new doughnuts, only to find out I cannot tighten the hold down bolt in that location. It gets snug then loose as though the threads are stripped out. Maybe only at the top of the hole. Just enough to keep the bolt loose?

I'm afraid the only choice I have is to remove the head to have it drilled and install a helicoil(?).

I've got a Haynes manual that explains the removal but I'm really new and have come to rely on this site more than my manual. Is there a write up on this? I can't find one using the search. Any great tips out there from someone who has done this?

 

Removal of a head is not that difficult, but you should exhaust all other options before doing so. Because of the location which you describe is on the exhaust side there is a possibility that machining can be done without removing the head. It may take some creative talent to solve your problem. I think a good machinist can do this for you.

 

I have some new info for you, the bolt you described does not screw into the head itself, that bolt screws into the cam bearing cap, so all you need to do is pull that bearing cap and have it machined for a helicoil.

 

If you want to see a pic goto picasaweb.google.ca/marcel.white and click on the bike file, you'll see the pic with the cover off and a real good shot of the bearing cap with the bolt hole.

 

Woooo! That is great news. I should have been asleep hours ago but I will be looking that you asap.
Thank you!

 

looking that *up asap

 

I thought you'd like that bit of info, but you would have discovered the truth when you pulled your cover off anyway.

 

Be careful.

Two of the cam caps (one each for intake and exhaust) have cam bearing surfaces; two of them are "dummies."

If you end up having to replace a cap that has the bearing surface in it, you'll need to check its clearance to the cam with Plastigauge. The specs are in your book.

 

Thanks Fitz for the warning. Now I need to do some homework to understand it, heh.

 

If you're using the Haynes and it's not covered, PM me with your email address and I'll send you the page(s) from the factory book.

On each cam, one cap is a dummy to hold the cover and one is a cam bearing. Which one is messed up exactly?

Plastigauge is a neat old-school auto shop way of measuring bearing clearances. It's actually FUN, believe it or not. (Well, at least I think so.)

 

Sounds like someone had their Play Doh taken away at an early age! LOL!!!!!!

 

I'm looking at my Haynes book right now and it looks like the one that's messed up is the bearing. It's the exhaust side on the left of the bike. I haven't pulled my valve cover again yet (waiting on the weekend for time) but I think it is E 2.

There is a write up about plastigauge in the book. I cannot seem to find the specs for the gap though.