top end assembly issues

[bigmike1980]

Alright guys I need help I have my 80 GS 850 that I am working on and I have received my new head from Sclavish and am having major difficulties in getting my cams put back in the right position. the manual that I have is doing nothing but confusing me someone please HELP!!!!!!!!

[rapidray]

The first, & MOST important, thing is to have the crank timing marks in the CORRECT place BEFORE you start to try to time the cams. Also, know that you can have the crank 360 degrees out of where it needs to be to get the cam links to come out in the right place. Ray.

[mistertoadie]

Make sure you remove the cam chain tensioner. You can get them out without removing it, but you won't get them back in.

[Nessism]

Set the crank to the 1-4 T mark, this puts pistons 1 and 4 at TDC. Next, without moving the crank, pull up on the cam chain in the front of the engine to remove slack and try to time the exhaust cam with the hash mark pointing forward. It's sort of a guess as to where it need to go so just do your best. Next thing you need to do is take some large vice grips and clamp down on the exhaust cam to press it into the head. Once you have the cam pressed down you can double check the alighment of both the crank (to make sure it did not move) and to see if the mark on the cam sprocket is aligned the way it should be, level with the top of the head. If necessary, release the vice grips and move the cam chain a tooth or so in whatever direction you need to. Once the exhaust cam is timed to the crank, the intake cam is easy.

Good luck and hope this helps.

[bigmike1980]

thank you for the advice and the diagrams they made more sense than the ones I had I was able to get it all and will just need a little adjustment once I get it in the bike

[crapwacker]

The first, & MOST important, thing is to have the crank timing marks in the CORRECT place BEFORE you start to try to time the cams. Also, know that you can have the crank 360 degrees out of where it needs to be to get the cam links to come out in the right place. Ray.

Just wanted to check, did you mean 180 degrees out? Not being a smart ass, but wanted to clarify, as I will be doing this same job in a few months too!