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Turning the engine

  • Thread starter Thread starter Calandnr
  • Start date Start date
C

Calandnr

Guest
Hello All! I got a basket case project and don't know if it runs. So I took the cover off on the shifter side of the engine and turned the engine counter cockwise. I guess I should have checked here first but is that the correct direction? If it's not what kind of damage did I do? Thanks for the Help!
 
Engines aways run up and away from the cam chain tensioner. I doubt you did any damage, but you might want to check the timing marks to make sure it didn't jump a tooth before you try to fire it up just in case. I think that is the main concern if you turn an engine backwards is the slack in the chain can cause it to jump a tooth on the exhaust cam, IRC.
 
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Well I never did anything like this before and was worried. I don't know when the last time this bike ran. Last inspection sticker is for 86 and it's only a 82!
 
I just reread your original post and realized which side you turned it from. I thought you were turning it from the ignition side. If you were turning it counterclockwise from the stator side of the crank, you were turning it in the correct direction. There should be nothing to worry about.
 
Calandnr said:
1 or 2 turns.
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No worries. Like I said, I thought you were turning it from the ignition end of the crank. The small cover on the right side is where the ignition is located and most manuals tell you to turn the engine from the bolt under the cover.
 
gsrick said:
most manuals tell you to turn the engine from the bolt under the cover.
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Well there wrong. You use the 17mm(maybe19) nut to turn that engine. Turning the 12 mm bolt will more than likely break it.
 
sharpy said:
Well there wrong. You use the 17mm(maybe19) nut to turn that engine. Turning the 12 mm bolt will more than likely break it.
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I didn't say to use the 12 mm bolt, but thank you for clarifying that. Not all engines have that little bolt.
 
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Mostly instructions about turning are in the context of the ignition side where you will find two.
Even with tensioner out, by hand would probably be too slow to do anything.
If you're worried, check the timing marks, then with the plugs out turn slowly clockwise from the big screw on the ignition side and see that everything is free.
 
Calandnr said:
Hello All! I got a basket case project and don't know if it runs. So I took the cover off on the shifter side of the engine and turned the engine counter cockwise. I guess I should have checked here first but is that the correct direction? If it's not what kind of damage did I do? Thanks for the Help!
Click to expand...
Getting back to the original question, you probably did no damage. However, you DID turn the wrong direction and you were under the wrong engine cover to do that.

As others have mentioned, you should have been on the RIGHT side of the engine, under the ignition cover and used the 19mm nut to turn the engine clockwise.

You are correct in questioning, though, as not all engines turn the same direction. :encouragement:

.
 
Steve said:
Getting back to the original question, you probably did no damage. However, you DID turn the wrong direction and you were under the wrong engine cover to do that.

As others have mentioned, you should have been on the RIGHT side of the engine, under the ignition cover and used the 19mm nut to turn the engine clockwise.

You are correct in questioning, though, as not all engines turn the same direction. :encouragement:

.
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Well he did go in the right direction for that side, but like we've said, it was the wrong side to turn the engine from.
 
Correct Rick..and the reason is that by using the rotor bolt to turn the engine over you risk loosening it or even breaking bit all together.
 
chuck hahn said:
Correct Rick..and the reason is that by using the rotor bolt to turn the engine over you risk loosening it or even breaking bit all together.
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:encouragement::encouragement::encouragement::encouragement::encouragement::encouragement::encouragement::encouragement:
 
For the sake of conversation.... What 'would' be wrong with turning the engine in the incorrect direction? Timing chain tension? Possible cam chain wadding up in the bottom of the engine causing damage if the engine is forced?

Wouldn't it be pretty easy to turn the engine in either direction if the plugs are pulled?
 
Well at least you don't want to do that when checking the timing. The cams may not be in the correct position with the crank if it's rotated backwards.
 
jdion81 said:
For the sake of conversation.... What 'would' be wrong with turning the engine in the incorrect direction? Timing chain tension? Possible cam chain wadding up in the bottom of the engine causing damage if the engine is forced?
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Technically, it shouldn't make any difference. If your timing chain wads up in the bottom, you have bigger problems to worry about, as the tensioner is not doing its job.

Because of clearances and tensions in various parts, you only turn it in the "forward" direction, and by using the 19mm nut on the right side of the crank when you are doing things like checking cam or ignition timing. If nothing else, it makes sure that everyone is doing it the same way, which might make the results a bit more predictable.

.
 
Understood. I was just wondering because I am working on mine with the cams and tensioner out and feeding the chain by hand. The engine has been moving forward and anti-forward for some time by hand. It is pretty easy to move by hand with the plugs out by grabbing the stator rotor and turning.
 
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