engine blowby

[mike1969]

Thanks,Guess I should let a shop do it and get it done right.

[mike1969]

To paraphrase Hotshoe "metal head cover gasket?" "we don't need no stinkin' metal headcover gasket.

I removed the engine from the Dream this morning. First thing I did was take the head cover off and look for 2 holes in the gasket Loud Mouse mentioned.

The metal gasket wasn't there so I looked at an old head and there it was still on the old head. (Thanks LM I would have never noticed that!)
The old head I had was almost entirely covered with metal unlike the head I have on now. It has wide open spaces under there.

I took pictures of the dis-assembly but can't post them because of the size.

Took the cylinders off and checked for piston ring gap placement. The second ring piston had about 30 deg. space from the top ring. Should all be 120 deg. according to Conbs.

Then removed a piston ring to check the end gap when in the cyls. That came out at a tight .030. Limit is .o35

I'm still going to take the cyls. to a machine shop to have them checked out.

QUESTION: Could having that missing plate cause the blowby? Or the ring end gap spacing cause it also.
Another question; Can I reuse the head gasket? It's relatively new and has no damage.

[LOUD MOUSE]

Without the Metal and the other Full/Like the Metal gaskets any running pressure can/will come direct out the top breather as there is nothing to stop the fluid and allow only vapors.
I'd put it back together and go ride as ya have found the problem. .......lm

To paraphrase Hotshoe "metal head cover gasket?" "we don't need no stinkin' metal headcover gasket.

I removed the engine from the Dream this morning. First thing I did was take the head cover off and look for 2 holes in the gasket Loud Mouse mentioned.

The metal gasket wasn't there so I looked at an old head and there it was still on the old head. (Thanks LM I would have never noticed that!)
The old head I had was almost entirely covered with metal unlike the head I have on now. It has wide open spaces under there.

I took pictures of the dis-assembly but can't post them because of the size.

Took the cylinders off and checked for piston ring gap placement. The second ring piston had about 30 deg. space from the top ring. Should all be 120 deg. according to Conbs.

Then removed a piston ring to check the end gap when in the cyls. That came out at a tight .030. Limit is .o35

I'm still going to take the cyls. to a machine shop to have them checked out.

QUESTION: Could having that missing plate cause the blowby? Or the ring end gap spacing cause it also.
Another question; Can I reuse the head gasket? It's relatively new and has no damage.

[mike1969]

THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU!

Mike

[mike1969]

PS, Enjoy your Trip!

[rustywrench]

Don't feel bad, I put an engine together without that plate too. See my previous post " Yet another scrambler lives" subject-brain fart.
Like LM says, put 'er back together and enjoy the ride. RW

[houseowax]

Hey Mike, I'm glad you found your problem and it was easily rectified.
I'm a complete newcomer to motorcycles and mechanics in general, and most of what I've learned I've learned from this forum and Bill Silver's invaluable CD.
Two other things helped immensely (and I'm FAR from proficient here, but I'm amazed at the knowledge I've been able to amass over the past few months):
The Haynes Manual entitled "Motorcycle Basics Techbook " (available at Amazon for less than $30) is often a bit longwinded and goes into detail about modern systems that aren't relevant to our bikes, but it's been the best source of simplified and basic information of a motorcycle's parts and their functions that I've come across.
The other thing I did was buy a rusty and beat up parts bike for $100. I dropped the engine and began disassembling using Silver's guide and it was a revelation. I realize that's a little extreme but if you can pull it off it's well worth it!