Cam Degreeing/Shiming

[first timer]

Ok here's the deal,
I would like to degree my cams and I also need to check my shims, what should I do first? Do I need to do my shims first then degree the cams, and then re shim the valves after the cams are degreed? Or can I just degree my cams first then shim the valves.

-Ryan

[AOD]

are the 77-79 2V motors shimmed the same way as the 80+ 4V motors?

i think mine is need of a valve adjustment...but its an area i've never touched.

[Billy Ricks]

It doesn't matter, you'll end up with the same clearance either way.

[SqDancerLynn1]

If you are going to slot the cam gears so that you can degree them, Check the clearances first. then change the shims when you remove the cams to modify the gears

[first timer]

ok so redegreeing the cam(s) DOES NOT effect the clearances?



adam, you should have the same valve setup as me, i have the 2v motor. i think suszuki went to a 4v after 82 with the 550, 4v is only on bikes with the tscc system. (rectangler valve covers)

ryan

[Billy Ricks]

Degreeing won't effect the clearances. Lynn gave good advice. Measure your clearances before the cams are removed to slot the gears. Then you can get the shims right before the cams are replaced.

[first timer]

i wasn't planing on geting my gears sloted, i was going to use the filing method. Is it easy to remove the cams without screwing up the cam chain and all that stuff. i don't really want to screw with that stuff if i don't need to.

thanks for the info so far.

ryan

[Billy Ricks]

Regardless of how you plan on doing it the gears have to be removed from the cams to take off enough material to move the cams.

[Anonymous]

I'm not familiar with the filing method, but if you can degree them without removing them or slotting the gears, that would be great. Can you give a brief description of the process or a site where I can read about it. Don't take your cams out, if you don't know how to get them back in time. It could be a disaster.

[SqDancerLynn1]

With the stock gears there is no adjustment, When you slot the gears it is a matter of elongating the bolt holes using a round file close to the size of the bolt hole. so that the gear can be moved a small amount in either direction. MAKE sure to use thread locker when you have finished degreeing the cams

[Don Lobacz]

If you don't understand how to reinstall your cams then you'll never be able to properly degree your cams. Reinstalling is just a drop-in and align procedure. Degreeing involves precise measurements based on understanding which phase the cam is in (BTDC, etc...). Any good mechanic SHOULD be able to do it, but I've seen more than a few who got confused and bent valves.

[first timer]

So SqDancerLynn1, it is possable to use a file and safely elongate the holes? in you best judgement, what would you recomend, fileing the holes with a proper file or pull the cams and getting the gears sloted. i can pull the cams if i have to but thought it would be easier the other way.
thanks,

ryan

[daveo]

no matter which route you choose, you WILL have to remove the cams and then, the gears from the cams, personally, for the labor involved, I would just get the slotted gears, or, slap a degree wheel on there and see where you're at first, might not even be worth the labor to index them

[AOD]

i thought you had the 4V Ryan...i must have not looked close enough.

i definitly need a valve adjustment...its loud now. gonna wait till spring i guess.