Should there be a tiny gap at the bottom of the cylinder block...

[hikermikem]

I've just put the cylinder block back on after replacing the base gasket & cylinder o-rings.

It went down smoothlyand evenly & I kept checking the o-rings for movement - nada.

Before I put the head on, I see a very tiny, even gap (little wiggle fore to aft) along the base that goes away when I push the block down - is this just the o-rings compressing into their grooves, or should the block sit completely flat at this point??

I'm inclined to think it's the o-rings waiting for me to torque the whole thing down.

What say you guys??

PS - this is the 1st one I've done & I don't want to screw it up.

[zathros]

Make sure everything is clean and in place. If in doubt, take it apart and check it again. Only torque everything after you have made sure everything is in place. Check for gaps after you torque everything in the proper order.

You could have something out of place but no one could know that unless they saw it or took it apart, to make sure.

[hikermikem]

Make sure everything is clean and in place. If in doubt, take it apart and check it again. Only torque everything after you have made sure everything is in place. Check for gaps after you torque everything in the proper order.

You could have something out of place but no one could know that unless they saw it or took it apart, to make sure.

I'm certain everything was in place & it was clean enough to eat off of...

When i push down on the block I can feel it compress againt what feels like rubber. It's an even feeling all along the block along the base.

[zathros]

I think that is what you are experiencing. My '75 CB400F had the same feel on assembly (Yoshima CB400F X3 motor conversion).. On some older bikes they had O-rings that looked like little tubes. I had a friend that pinched on and lost oil flow to the top end.

Ultimately, you have to put it together to find out. Unlike Honda, at least Suzuki's don't tend to leak at the base gasket, early 4 cylinder Honda's did that when all was right ( head gasket also ). Sounds like a motor is coming back to life. It's normal to be careful at the end, especially with all the work involved. Good luck.

[Zooks]

Just be careful. You don't want the horses to get out.

[tkent02]

Just be careful. You don't want the horses to get out.

Or the smoke.

[bwringer]

Are the locating pins in the right places?

[hikermikem]

Thanks guys,

Well, it's all back together now. No gaps or any issues after tightening everything to spec. All felt "right."

Quite a satisfying time actually - although I could have used an extra hand or two guiding the pistons back into the cylinders while lowering the block; not that easy by yourself.

At least I had an good excuse to buy a sorely needed torque wrench.

This little detour was all because I snapped an exhaust bolt and had to remove the head to get it out. Then Ed (Nessism) guilted me into replacing the base gasket as long as I was there. Actually, very sound advice, as it was apparent both the head & base gaskets were leaking.

So tomorrow I will re-install the "squeaky-clean" carbs & such and see if this baby actually runs!!

I will be careful not to let any smoking horses escape .

mike

[chef1366]

Good luck.

[zathros]

Don't forget to spank it's butt after it's rebirth.