Topic: Honda Valdez: CB350F Build

[LeVeL]

This is going to be an ongoing, slow build thread of my 1973 Honda CB350F. I got it in a trade for a '90 Geo Tracker and at the time seemed like an even trade. When I got it, I knew that the timing chain tensioner bolt was broken and the valves were loud. It rode around the neighborhood just fine so the deal was done. I'm sure that you can already tell where this story is going...

When I got it home, I tried everything to get the broken tensioner bolt out. Nothing worked. So I decided to just park the bike for a couple months until I had time to tear it down. I forgot to even get pictures of the bike as a whole, but have photo documented well for the teardown. The reason for the name Honda Valdez; this bikes leaks oil like it is its job. When I first got the bike, the fins on the cylinders all had oil throughout. The oil pump area also leaked. On the few times that the bike was started and let run for only a couple minutes, it would leave two half dollar sized oil spots on the garage floor.

Now, full disclosure. I have never split cases on an engine before. This is by no means a how to, or even the proper way. I have been using the Clymer manual backed by a PDF version on the Honda manual. They both give you a general idea of what to do. So, first things being first, I started with removing the engine.

The oil pump area was nasty as the seals had pretty much given up on trying to keep oil in the engine.


Once the engine was out, I started to tear it down. I was immediately stopped by what I found under the rocker box cover. The camshaft had nearly sheared itself in half, taking a few of the rockers with it in the process.


And of course this damaged the journal in the head.

Pistons do not appear to be damaged, but also appear to be aftermarket. I have no history on the bike, so I can only guess. Two of the pistons have been through my little ultrasonic cleaner.

The oil jets? that are on the outside of the cylinder jugs were completely clogged with debris. I believe this to be part of the problem leading up to the cam failure (no pics of the jet things). So I decided to take a look at the oil pickup screen. No surprises here, crammed full of shavings

[Farley121]

I can't see the pictures.

[LeVeL]

Well, everything looked good on the preview. And now two of them aren't showing up for me. I am using google images, and must be doing it wrong.

[FuZZie]

First, make sure you set the images to public?

[FuZZie]

Don't edit the url's you are inserting you're losing the sizing.

[LeVeL]

Everything is public. This is my first time using google photo and is causing me problems. Guess this is going to be a learning curve.

[LeVeL]

At this point the cases are split and I've slowly disassembled the engine.



The timing chain tensioner was worse than expected.

But the rest of the bottom end looks good to my highly untrained eye. I don't have pictures, but two of the cylinder head studs were bent when removing them. Honestly a couple other ones look pretty nasty so I've ordered replacements from APE. From here I have everything separated and bagged and just need to start cleaning stuff up. Next stop is machine shop. I have never torn a motor down this far before, and I honestly don't know what to ask for at the machine shop. Any pointers?

[02z06dave]

I don't really have any pointers other than get the honda shop manual if you haven't already. Also I'm parting out a decent 350f right now, so let me know if you need parts

[Andych]

Really interested to see the first lot of pics, second lot are showing up fine.

I will be interested to see this build as it progresses.

[LeVeL]

Redid the first post, and am hoping all can see. I've been able to see them the whole time, but made the photos public on the second set.. so here's to hoping.

I have a Clymer manual and have been using it. The whole process was easier than expected. Deliberating over sending out my other good camshaft for a regrind and buying new valve springs, or just calling it good enough. There is a local guy for the machine shop, but he seems really busy. He also said he isn't familiar with this particular motor (who is? its a three year thing).

[FuZZie]

Tough little motor to keep chugging with that camshaft....

[Jore]

Get to honda manual, that one and the clymer's complement each other, also these things tend to snowball on the budget, I got a 400 that started only needing an oil change and I ended up boring to 466 because a piston got stuck, all while changing a #$%* ton of things
It was also my first rebuild, just have fun with it and don't force it, it goes at it's own pace.

[LeVeL]

Biggest thing for me has been finding parts. So few things are available anymore. Right now even the aftermarket timing chain tensioner made by TTR is sold out everywhere. Got to order one of those, new sliders and hope that everything checks out at the machine shop..

[scottly]

I don't have pictures, but two of the cylinder head studs were bent when removing them. Honestly a couple other ones look pretty nasty so I've ordered replacements from APE. From here I have everything separated and bagged and just need to start cleaning stuff up. Next stop is machine shop. I have never torn a motor down this far before, and I honestly don't know what to ask for at the machine shop. Any pointers?

Don't buy any more parts until you've had all the parts inspected, like the pistons, cylinder bores, and crankshaft journals. Depending on condition, it might be cheaper to source a complete motor than rebuild what you have; you already need a new head, cam cover, cam, and rockers. BTW, that type of damage to the cam is usually caused by a blockage in the oil feed to the cam bearings.

[Jore]

Biggest thing for me has been finding parts. So few things are available anymore. Right now even the aftermarket timing chain tensioner made by TTR is sold out everywhere. Got to order one of those, new sliders and hope that everything checks out at the machine shop..

I've gotten most of my parts from 4into1 and cruizinimage on ebay, but being in mexico the cost of shipping for a lot of parts is way over the top, so I've designed and machined a lot of custom parts, maybe it'll be your case.

[LeVeL]

That's awesome, being able to machine your own stuff. I don't have the skillset to fabricate.
On another note, I found a complete head assembly on eBay for 180 bucks shipped. My new to me cam, rockers and head all look to be in great shape. I just need to clean the thing up. More pics to come after I clean the head up.

[vaah]

I can't see the images on the first post. Interested to see those pictures. Please fix it.

[LeVeL]

I can't see the images on the first post. Interested to see those pictures. Please fix it.

I went through and re-did the first post. Hope that it's better.

[Andych]

Haha.. when you redidi them the first time I was able to see them but now you have re-done them again.. I just see minus signs for first posts... no matter, I saw them ok once

[LeVeL]

Haha.. when you redidi them the first time I was able to see them but now you have re-done them again.. I just see minus signs for first posts... no matter, I saw them ok once

Man, google images just doesn't seem to be cooperating with me. I refuse to use photo bucket again. I apologize for the lacking photos. I don't understand how they can work perfect one minute and when I come back to them a few are now not working..

[LeVeL]

So I scored big on eBay with a complete head. Had everything that I needed, is in good shape and was way cheaper than anything else out there right now.



There is an unusual chunk missing on the inside of one of the journals... I don't think it will be an issue, but am open to the what you all think.


I spent some time and cleaned up the face of the valves and the combustion chamber itself. Was a fair amount of carbon built up on it. Some on the face of the valves will not come off.

I also cleaned up the intake ports off all the casting marks. Didn't really take a ton of material away, but did manage to match the intake carb boots to the head a little better.

Tusk makes a really nice, really inexpensive valve spring compressor that made taking the valves out a breeze.

Trying to keep things organized as I go. Baggies and boxes.

I also found another culprit to the demise of the engine. Stuck on the base gasket for the cylinders was a small piece of piston ring and another, much larger piece in the oil pan. Yet, the pistons all have good rings and appear to be non OEM. I'm thinking someone did a really bad top end rebuild with the motor still in the bike. Who knows...

Next stop, machine shop.

[Andych]

I know your dilemma. I cancelled my photoshop account with their holding people to ransom on hosting images.
If the pics are not too big just post them from your pc.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro

[vaah]

I can't see the images on the first post. Interested to see those pictures. Please fix it.

I went through and re-did the first post. Hope that it's better.

Still can't see the images on the first post. It's weird. Perhaps you should reupload it or try another host.

Sent from my SM-T705 using Tapatalk

[FuZZie]

It's not so easy to understand with Google.
Google uses an encrypted password in the URL and the photo does not reside at said URL, the URL is actually a request to go fetch it.

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/e5LD3K6VKxIh83byH-SeUkPM7Rg6KUahgPthmrc6n-7hKAwqa3JwW0TJME2cQgiL6R5oshjXUqJIahPbVBS8Ms4CYB-ji8nWQTJMdQ-7nyCpO2NAzthvpPCNcsz2ZQcI31KAWmYNn16nG9e_y8uPjvB-JcmOxpOSEW4oAcBFxftpI4NIgDmOr8F3lUzLOB9YWeAGmQ9pBd4YpU_ojfN3AB_k4jS6KRIUzXlIH9NqQgsAmQz3QmZBx8v6lkjD-KUzuRt80ff7NWKmp7xV7CGRDhUOSB-IYPYO7xFED6-rbgc1hwzErc9e6wrfvHRCvzwe0Gsx4TBR0Ha9RhjeoyNUGT5ABZL7HXPbSPgpem6sPY2GSv5gQQTN2OdVUC70d9Y_qvmo45t75E5xsQt0HEEMtvFBo7t9IiN1eaVlAbV--tcMFw-kYeL2wECeH1MrshX-O2crFnlvI5V_qnQPAol1Ie85sdk7tdhFeD2ivR-BnNelRS-TcqLd1-Dg8ng5yF8B-BMghJBa585kxwi26z9cBi7So8NgxKTBmo-ZUaBopg1OijXeHnuhgrPj20sc8g=s1784-w1784-h1338-no

Looking at the URL you'll understand how it can get confusing really fast. Don't miss understand it's a good system very secure just takes some getting used too.

F'in BBcode {code} box no workie!

[crazypj]

I can't see the pics even after logging in to Google?
The cam chain tensioner burrs are common of 400f as well, pop out the rivet, file off all the burrs, make sure everything swings nice and put it together again. You ten have the advantage of some extra clearance