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cam chain

  • Thread starter Thread starter willys 55
  • Start date Start date
W

willys 55

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I just got an 81 1100 e and pulled the valve cover and found NO cam chain !! is it a non interferance engine???
 
willys 55 said:
I just got an 81 1100 e and pulled the valve cover and found NO cam chain !! is it a non interferance engine???
Click to expand...


One of mine wasn't. :(
But, it had radical cams and much more compression.
You might be safe. Wait for some more experienced with stock motor replies.
Either install a new chain and line everything up as it is supposed to be and find out
or remove the cylinder and take a peek.

Daniel
 
Sorry, I thought you were joking.

If the cam chain has snapped it's highly unlikely that the valves haven't kissed the pistons. And where is the chain? Wrapped up around the bottom somewhere? I would pull the top off and have a peek.
 
I would certainly pull the head and check out the tops of the pistons. You'll also want to check for bent valves. You may have to pull the cylinder block to fish it out, if present, and (possibly, depending on your findings) install a new chain.
 
The GS engines ARE interference engines; bust the chain and the valves will hit the pistons.

Suzuki uses endless cam chains, which means you will have to split the crankcase to install a new one. Some people gamble on master links with cam chains, others won't. Personally, I'd plan to split the crankcase just to be safe.
 
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It's a full motor tear down to replace the chain

DO NOT substitute a master linked chain, I'll bet that's what was done on your motor
 
I didn't see it mentioned but another reason to split the crankcase is to determine whether there has been damage to the chain sprocket on the crankshaft and to the crankcase 1/2's. Depending on how that chain flailed around on the way, it may have doubled back on itself and then been forced through damaging surrounding structures.

Does the crankshaft turn without signs of something dragging/binding?

A cracked sprocket or other breakage may bite you after it is all back together if you feel a master linked chain through. If you decide to use a master linked chain, and I'd be more than tempted, inspect the chain well for signs and have a good look for sprocket run-out or chipped teeth, etc.

I know about the master link debate but lots of engines run them for ever without problems. An important consideration is that the master link clip must run with the closed end forward or you risk having the clip pushed off by the intertia of flying oil. If it were summer, likely might give into the temptation of master link but it's winter, you can't ride....
 
except...Willys55 is in Hollister, California.

Weather looks pretty good for riding there right about now :cool:

http://www.weather.com/weather/tenday/36.852455,-121.401602

Maybe not in the 80s like Steve is experiencing in Florida right now, but beats the heck out of our 29-30F tonight [EDIT- and it's not getting much warmer throught he day for the rest of the week, either :(].
 
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I run a master linked wheel chain, but I would NEVER run a master link on a cam chain. A riveted chain is the least i would go on the cam chain. Personally, I split my cases and used an endless chain.
Z1 sells the riveter and chains.
 
I removed the top end and looked inside w/ that small space thinking I could see the chain. no cigar. the PO looked and acted a little shady and nervous as he delivered it 200 miles to my driveway. thought I was getting a killer deal. it sounds like a money pit to me now and thats alright, I'll do my share to help the economy and laugh it off.
 
tkent02 said:
How are the valves and pistons?
Click to expand...

Follow Tom's advice and answer his question.

Don't get ahead of yourself here. It could be as simple as the idiot PO dropped the cam chain when he was trying to refit the cams and the chain ended up at the bottom of the crank. There may be no upper end damage at all. If this is the case you should be able to fish the cam chain out now the head and cylinders are off.

One step at a time. Back to Tom's question: Are the valves and pistons damaged?
 
I see first off on the pistons a witness mark from intake valve side on each piston. (w/ a eye loop) it looks to me that the valve just kissed the pistons. I can scratch the witness marks and leave a deeper mark ,like the valves were squeezing the carbon built up on the pistons. on the #1 intake I can see a dip ,dent ,imprint on the valves and a smaller imprint at the #3 intake also. right now I can see nothing on the exhaust side on pistons and valves.before I took off the head to make space I took off the ex. side cam and I did not make note of the exhaust cam postion. I need to better orginize my work area before I go any further.
 
Tip the head with the ports facing up and put 2-3 oz of gas in each port and see if any gas comes past the valves

Then, flip it over and try the other set of ports

BTW, best done outside
 
Big T said:
Tip the head with the ports facing up and put 2-3 oz of gas in each port and see if any gas comes past the valves

Then, flip it over and try the other set of ports

BTW, best done outside
Click to expand...

So I'm not sure what the above means.

I think it would be good to do a leak down test. Maybe there is an opening (aka oil drain hole or some such) that would permit using a snake-type magnet to fish up the maybe-camchain? If there are bits/flakes/shavings connected with the result, repost?

S.
 
silverhorse47 said:
So I'm not sure what the above means.

I think it would be good to do a leak down test. Maybe there is an opening (aka oil drain hole or some such) that would permit using a snake-type magnet to fish up the maybe-camchain? If there are bits/flakes/shavings connected with the result, repost?

S.
Click to expand...
He already has the head off, kind of hard to do a leak down test now. An easy was of checking for leaky valves is to fill the ports with solvent/gas or something. If you get leakage then you know you have a leaky/bent valve. A bent valve will let a LOT of liquid past it.
 
w/ the engine still in the bike and looking down into case I can't see the chain wouldn't the chain be bunched up around the crank ? and announce it self while turning the engine over? also before I found the chain was not there I was told the starter was bad and I RnR the stater and now I can turn the engine over and I didn't hear anything wrong.I try a comp. test and the numbers are all over the place ,thinking a bad valve adjustment and discover the missing chain. the chain guilde/tensioner on the carb side of the engine looks chewed up at the hinge and the other side (exhaust ) is clean.I think that's a lot of chain (if it's there ) down there to announce it self while turnig it over. I'm hoping for the best and expecting the worst.
 
If you can see the spocket on the crank the cam chain was removed.
Pull the cylinders since you'll have to split the cases anyway to put a cam chain on.
 
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