Cam Chain?

[Kitten Tooth]

Ok, I've been restoring a 1982 GS300L D model for about a year now. I go to start the thing and theres no spark found out it was the contact breaker/ points. But, then i realized a mysterious leak on the front of the engine after i had put oil in the motor and turned it over a couple hundred times. The head gasket is leaking really bad and my mechanic says its a 400 dollar job. So, im gonna do it myself. The only thing im scared of is the cam chain and the tensioning of the cam chain. How do i get the chain off? Also, am i supposed to turn the motor to a specific position before i remove the cam chain to get the head off of the motor? Any instructions would be very appriciated on how to Get this job done. Also, is there any way to tell if the rings or pistons are bad by looking at them? Also do i have to remove the engin from the frame to take the head off?

Thanks,
Kitten Tooth

[chef1366]

Get a manual for TDC and cam chain installation.
Take off the cam chain tensioner and remove the cams.

[Steve]

I find if very scary that you would even think of attempting this without a manual.

How do I know you don't have a manual?

ALL of your questions are answered in it.

Ok, I've been restoring a 1982 GS300L D model for about a year now.
An '82 bike would be a GS300LZ, not an LD. An LD would be an '83.
I go to start the thing and theres no spark found out it was the contact breaker/ points.
You don't have points, you have electronic ignition.
But, then i realized a mysterious leak on the front of the engine after i had put oil in the motor and turned it over a couple hundred times. The head gasket is leaking really bad and my mechanic says its a 400 dollar job.
Good estimate, for a shop job.
So, im gonna do it myself. The only thing im scared of is the cam chain and the tensioning of the cam chain. How do i get the chain off?
No need to remove the chain completely. You remove tension, slide the cams out, then tie a string so you don't lose the chain, remove the head.
Also, am i supposed to turn the motor to a specific position before i remove the cam chain to get the head off of the motor?
It is not necessary to have it in any particular position to take it apart, but it is to put it back together. Much easier if you take it apart in that position to save time later.
Any instructions would be very appriciated on how to Get this job done.
Get a manual, read it.
Also, is there any way to tell if the rings or pistons are bad by looking at them?
You can't just look at them, you have to measure them.
Also do i have to remove the engin from the frame to take the head off?
No.

Thanks,
Kitten Tooth

[mriddle]

Tough love Steve ..

[Steve]

Gotta call 'em like I see 'em sometimes.

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