Topic: Cam cover install

[jakec]

Hi, I am putting the cam cover back on my 400 after removing to inspect the cam chain tensioner (great news, it's stuck). Anyways I have two questions -

1. Manual says to use liquid packing. Is that really necessary? I have black hondabond (the more permanent one for crankcases). I am using a new rubber gasket.

2. I loosened all the tappets all the way, but the cover won't sit flat on the head. Do I need to turn the crank to a certain point? The manual doesn't say anything about this. Right now the cover rocks back & forth like a bad table at a restaurant.

[jakec]

Did some reading, been too busy to do this yet. I read here that weatherstripping adhesive is a good product to use with the seal in the groove of the cover. Anyone else think so?

[1976cb750f836]

Weatherstrip adh,  makes it  a #$%* to remove!  Blk rtv used sparingly is what I would try.

[jakec]

What is black RTV? Generic automotive product or Honda/motorcycle specific?

[MauiK3]

Room Temperature Vulcanizing
Auto parts store, brands like Permatex
I think I'd use Hondabond, sparingly

[Redline it]

the tackometer gear gets in between a tooth. from the outside you can wiggle the tab that's sticking out.
sometimes it lines up and others it's stubborn.don't force anything if it don't go.

[middletons]

Permatex Grey, or Hondabond would be my choice.

[Redline it]

the temptation to put anything on the large oring is big, and one might think it's better to put some on. and there goes all the suspense into "getting the oil orifice plugged. if you put any one, only the corners ifthere is one that seems to pop out.andthat's just a pn point tothe out side of the oring. you don't want the stuff to squeeze any on the inside and it will. thenthe oil will disolve some and it fallintothe oil.

[Redline it]

sorry to bombard this post, but i remember that (from the pros here) that even when all the rockers are loose there's still one or 2 that will be under spring pressure and it could rock it.if you push it downby hand it should go flush. i cont see how a rocker can get under anything, the rubber band thing i used one time after that i just put the cover on with the rockers all pretty much flat.

[bryanj]

Its the adjuster bolts that get caught on the valve stems and bend the valves

[jakec]

0. I was going to use weatherstrip adhesive for my speedo/tach rebuild, should I use something else? This is for the rubber rings around the glass.

1. I have hondabond black for joining cases. seems too permanent. I will get some permatex medium(?) strength stuff

2. Redline, are you saying not to use anything? I'm fine with that since the bike is barely going to be ran at all before it will need to be rebuilt.

3. All my rockers are loose, would I need to run a band from exhaust tappet to intake tappet, over the top, holding both up and pushing rocker tabs down?

4. No special crank position needed?

Thanks!

[Bodi]

I use weatherstrip adhesive. It's roughly as bad to remove as the original goo from Honda, acetone or lacquer thinner softens it OK though. You want to get the groove completely clean before sticking a new seal in.
I think RTV may be OK. I use the adhesive then lay the cover on wax paper over something flat and hard, and put some weight on it forcing the ring in the groove, leave it until the glue sets.
Hondabond holds OK but takes forever to cure.
Definitely loosen the rockers and hold them up with rubber bands through the adjuster holes and across the top. The tach drive gear... never had it cause a problem but it is easy to wiggle the drive tab.

[Redline it]

Its the adjuster bolts that get caught on the valve stems and bend the valves

thanks, i get it now. so the adj bolt can get under the spring.

[bryanj]

No not under the spring, on top op the top collat alongside the bit of velve that sticks through instead of on top of the valve