Is the 1980 GS450 an interference type engine?

[surviverguy]

Just a general question- is the engine an interference type engine? If the timing chain were to break or timing chain got out of time- can the piston strike/bend the valves? I don't have the problem of bent valves. I just like to know with engines that I own- which are interference type and which are not. Thanks.

 

[tom203]

Only if something goes wrong. New to you bike ? never hurts to check PO's work.

 

[surviverguy]

Yes, that's what I mean. If something goes wrong with the timing chain- do the pistons and valves have a risk of collission? Some engines just stop running but no damage to internal parts (non-interference type). Some engines "self-destruct" ....normaly bent valves....(interference type). Which type of engine is the 1980 GS450? Interference or non-interference?

 

[tkent02]

The four cylinder GSes are all interference engines, I doubt the 450 would be any different.

 

[surviverguy]

Hypothetically speaking, if some arzhole loosened my camchain tensioner (external) while I was buying some beer and sandwiches inside a store and I didn't notice the tensioner being loose or out of whack- would there be enough slack in the chain to jump time and possibly bend a valve?

 

[tom203]

Hypothetically speaking, if some arzhole loosened my camchain tensioner (external) while I was buying some beer and sandwiches inside a store and I didn't notice the tensioner being loose or out of whack- would there be enough slack in the chain to jump time and possibly bend a valve?

Maybe you should buy beer in better neigborhoods. If you look at how cam chain tensioner works, I think you'll discover that it won't back off /stay off that easily- the yahoo would need a screwdriver and wrench/socket.You seem suspicious, maybe you should check timing and worry less.

 

[surviverguy]

It isn't so much a worry as it is a curiosity. The bike is new to me and I am rehabilitating it. Everytime I look at that tensioner- it just looks so. Ah,....em....vulnerable! It hasn't run in years. I'm still in the process of "going through it".
Just got an OEM valve cover gasket in the mail. I'm about to check valve clearances. I have no reason to suspect any timing issues.
The PO only screwed up everything he touched. (fried electric harness, cracked carb diaphragm with RTV silicone patches, butchered airbox with no screen and missing seals, wrong ignition coil #2,..., pinched trigger wires for ignition with cover....
But it looks like he never ventured inside the valve cover. Bike has 12k miles. Probably never had it's valves adjusted?!!!!

 

[Nessism]

The four cylinder GSes are all interference engines, I doubt the 450 would be any different.

450 is same. Bent valves are likely if the cams jump time.

 

[tom203]

Since you're about to check valve clearances, perfect time to look at camshaft to crank timing . The camchain tensioner is a simple and reliable device, so simple that folks often seem to install it wrong.