40 year basement bike

[linmictil]

Thanks-- after a tad bit of Southern Comfort I took it out by myself. I was doing really good until I forgot to take the two small nuts off by the spark plugs. One blast form a 2X4 and I broke off three fins. I can live with that I guess. A little dremal work and I can make it look halfway decent. It's not going to be a show bike anyway. . Got the valve cover off but came to a standstill with the head. Have to do some reading but I think I may have to take the camshaft out? Everything so far looks clean as new!

[davomoto]

Ther's a master link fof=r the cam chain. If you can't see it from the top, remove the cam chain tensioner, and see if it's there, and / or remove the oil pump and look for it there. If you cant find it, you'll have to break the cam. I install a new on every time I rebuild an engine, so I don't worry too much about it. Once the cam chain's off, you can remove the head from the cylinder. Another couple of Southern Comforts, and you'll be doing things!

Davo

[linmictil]

I found the master link but wouldn't you know it about three links too far down in the head. I cut it out with a Dremal. Got it off and was surprised to see all the corrosion inside. Cleaned up what I could see and started soaking. Got the pistons to move very slightly. Sooner or later !!!

[linmictil]

Well-- somebody tell me I got the hard part done. Got the cylinders off today. I ran some 14/2 romex wire through the small tunnel ways in the top middle of the head. Hung the motor from a 1 in. pipe in between my work bench and a 4 foot 2X6. No too stable but it worked . it took two days of pounding a 2 in. dowel on the pistons and they slowly came out. The last 1/2 inch took the longest. Head and sleeves look ok but I think I will have to replace the pistons,rings and wrist pins. The engine model number is CL77E 1024696. More later... "Comfort" time!

[linmictil]

Question for you gents: Should I attempt to hone the cylinders myself. They don't look too bad. I will install new pistons and rings STD. Don't want to mess them up and certainly don't want to bore them out if at all possible. Can I buy a small hone at an auto parts store and run it through lightly. How much is too much before you mess them up? Sending them valve head out to Ed's today to be redone.
Getting started on the rebuild!!!!! Thanks Mike

[davomoto]

Mike,

If they were stuck as bad as you say they were, I doubt you'll get away with honing them. You may want to take the cylinder to a machine shop, and have them measure the bore, and see how badly the cylinder is pitted.

Davo

[mike horvath]

Mike,
Ask Ed if he can get your cylinders bored. For me it was cheaper to send 'em to him than have a local do it. Also check on OS pistons, rings (and new pins ) availability in case you do have to bore them.