Help I'm an idiot!!!!

[Guest]

Like an idiot I cranked the engine over for a few seconds without the cam chain tensioner on the bike! The engine turns by hand and I dont' think anything is broken, but of course now the timing is off. I'm trying to follow my manual on how to reset it, but of course I can't get the timing mark on the advance mech. to line up with the other mark when positioning the exhaust cam so the #1 is pointing directly at the gasket surface on the cylinder head as the manual says. Am I going to have to take cams off in order to get marks to line up? This is my first time at doing something like this so keep that in mind. Please help I'm about to loose it! terrylee

[Big T]

Yes

Pull the intake cam

Set the motor to TDC

Set the exhaust cam

Count back the 20 (or whatever your spec is) pins and set the intake cam

Install the tensioner

Rotate several times to confirm alignment

[terrylee]

Thanks for the reply! Which timing mark do I align on the advance mec., one has a L on it and on has a R? terylee

[terrylee]

Ok, think I may have bigger problem! Took off intake cam and it felt like chain might be stuck on exhaust cam, so took it off and now while holding chain up engine will only turn so far and then stop. So have I busted something inside? I think I might cry! terrylee

[terrylee]

Got the timing marks to line up, but now the exhaust cam won't go back in and line up the #1 mark. The left lobe is hitting against the shim and preventing this side for sitting flush. Does this mean I have something broke in there? terrylee

[Steve]

Based on your "L" and "R" references, I'm going to guess that this is on the 450?
(It would have been nice to say so. )

Try pulling BOTH cams. Then hold the chain taut with your hand and try rotating the crank.
It's possible that the chain jumped a link between the exhaust cam and the crank, and is binding up.

If you can rotate the crank two full turns while using your hand as a tensioner, line up the proper timing mark on the crank (I don't know if its "L" or "R"), install the exhaust cam, count pins, install intake cam, install tensioner.

Don't forget to install the tensioner correctly, if you expect it to do its job.

.

[Nessism]

Listen to Steve.

Pull the spark plugs, hold up the chain, and turn the engine over a few times. You should be able to turn the engine over by pulling on the cam chain alone.

Set crank per the service manual, set exhaust cam next, and intake came last. Using some vice grips to hold the cam down into the bearings before installing the cam caps is best.

After you get the tensioner installed, spin the engine over and double check your alignment. Also check the valve adjustment to make sure you didn't bend any valves.

Keep your chin up, and head down, and sort though any possible problems. Everything is fixable.

[terrylee]

Thanks guy! Sorry you're right it is the 450 will try what was suggested. Already took both off, but didn't remove plugs. Will try everything again. terrylee

[terrylee]

Took plugs out and held chain up while turning engine, it will turn for a little bit, then it just locks up and won't budge. So am I right to think I probably bent a valve or two? I only hope that's all I did and no damage to the pistons. terrylee

[Nessism]

Some times the chain bunches up on the crank sprocket. Please check this before you jump to conclusions.

[Steve]

If you have both cams out, there is no way that a piston will hit a valve.

Unless, of course, the head of the valve broke off and is sitting on top of the piston.

Pull your spark plugs, have a look inside. Use a soft wire to fish around the top of the piston, if you can.

How far can you turn the crank before it locks up? Have you tried reversing direction?
If the chain is bound, like I suggested earlier, reversing direction on the crank will free it up. You should be able to turn the crank at least two full turns with no binding.

.

[pete]

Yes, rule out what Steve says first Terrylee.

When I was putting mine together I managed to get it bunched up like that and by holding the chain up with one hand and rocking the crankshaft back and forth via the alternator rotor I was able to release it pretty easily.

Oh, and when I saw your thread I immediately thought "But I didn't start a new thread overnight"...

[terrylee]

I can turn it in reverse and it will turn fine, but turning it foward I can only turn it 1 or 1 1/2 turns. Will look down in the plug holes and see what I can see.

[terrylee]

Thank you so much!

I can't thank all of you enough! You were right it was the chain stuck on the bottom. Took me three times putting it back together, but got the pins to spec. and tensinor installed and engine turns with no problems! Still haven't got it started yet (carbs. still off), plan to do a valve check tomorrow while have cover off. Again thanks so much! Sorry to freak out but this was the last straw to a bad week! But things sure look better thanks to you guys!!!!!

[Big T]

Good for you

Now, go have a beer and tackle the rest of the project later