CJ360 Headgasket

[duggyb]

was reading the manual, looks like a fair amount of work to do the gasket, do I need to worry about timing? or any other thing other then just holding the timing chain up, like does it matter how the cam and the rest goes in?

[crazypj]

YES, It matters.
If timing is off you'll be spending a couple of hundred for parts if you bend valves or crack guides

[duggyb]

i know the timing matters, what im saying is do i need to keep anything else in time other then the chain?

[crazypj]

Don't try and cut corners, remove all the valve adjuster caps and loosen all the lock nuts then back off the adjusters
Be careful with points cam, it's possible to have it slide off mechanism then put back on 180 degrees out
 Basically, you have to re-set and adjust everything when you put it back together, too many people screw up by trying to 'keep adjustments' when they disassemble things

[duggyb]

ok this is what i wanted to know thanks, i also would rather just take everything out and put back in without worrying, then re adjust/retime.

but i thought maybe i HAD to keep things in time when i did it.

[crazypj]

Nope, your all good to go
Its a good idea to find TDC before you remove cam sprocket off cam so you know what timing should look like

[duggyb]

sounds good, i am going to tear into it tomorrow night, also these four rubber seals with metal on them that came in my kit are my valve seals correct?

i noticed on the ride tonight i seem to be burning a little oil, and have some louder than normal valve noise.

just making sure those are them and i can change them when i have the head off.

[crazypj]

Yep, valve guide seals, pretty common for them to be hard after 30+ yrs
You have to remove valves to fit them, make sure you put springs back in the same as you took them out, there is a top and bottom.
Also WEAR SAFETY GLASSES when removing valve collets, having one embedded in forehead is bad enough but if it hit you in the eye you would probably loose it (I used to teach, you wouldn't believe the dumb stuff I saw)

[duggyb]

any other seals i should change while i am in there that would have come in my kit?

sorry for all the noob questions, new to bikes, and thanks for all the help so far PJ

[crazypj]

Only the 'tube' ones on dowels, (the ones causing the leak)   

[duggyb]

well started tearing into it today finally, all was going good until i grabbed the chain and was setting a bolt down with the other hand, chained slipped and i lost the timing on the bottom end now,

im assuming i have to split the cases now to regain that timing? or is there something else i can do besides pulling the entire engine and splitting it?

Thanks.
Dustin

[crazypj]

You only need to pull chain back up, as long as its on sprocket you haven't 'lost' anything
There isn't any 'timing' until cam is back in place
Just make sure piston is at very top of stroke, cam lobes are up on one side and down on the other
 Some pics
Valve springs correctly installed, closed coils to head


Degree wheel for modified cam timing, check at TDC, you can use normal 'LT' mark on generator rotor


Lines on cam sprocket will be completely level (yours are 'cast' into rubber damper) This engine has a lot of modifications so lines are not level when cam timing is correct

[duggyb]

Wow! Thanks pj, these pics will help allot. Will keep you posted on progress