Topic: RC Engineering 836 Head & Piston Rings

[wwsummersjr]

Okay Guys, Way back on the time machine (mid 80's) I was fortunate enough to come across a full blown RC Engineering 836cc SOHC that had ported/polished head w/oversized valves, wild cam, slotted cam sprocket, racing rods, etc, etc, etc... I made the mistake of trusting a friend of mine who owned a M/C shop to go through the head & he basically did a butcher job on the valve seats. Looking to find a professional that has correct stone set & see if head can be saved.
I also heard the 836 piston rings are same as a CB350 4th oversized rings (65mm) can be used. Stock CB350 bore is 64mm & have seen 1st OS as being 64.25mm. Haven't seen 836 rings available (w/o pistons) from Weisco, etc. Anyone got input?

[Jerry Rxman Griffin aka MuthaF'er]

Get in touch with Mike Rieck on here. He's our head guru.

You're good on the 350Twin +4 size as long as you need 2.5, 1.5, 1.5mm rings.

[gschuld]

FWIW, RC engineering offered 836 pistons in both cast and forged.  If cast, they will have ART cast into them near the pin as seen from the outside of the piston skirt(ART made the OEM Honda pistons and are high quality FWIW).  Forged would most likely have RC 65H under the piston crown(Arias made pistons).  Lesser chance but possible you have the earlier (pre 1973/4 era) Venolia pistons.   If there is Arias under the piston crown, they are very late RC pistons, early 80s.

It’s helpful to know whether you have cast or forged pistons since the piston/bore clearances would be very different between them.

I would highly recommend Hastings for the rings.  They will have what you need.

George

[PeWe]

I have forged RC 836 pistons from 1983 and earlier cast RC that have  single oil ring.

I used the forged pistons 3 ring oil rings on the old  cast ones which worked fine.
The other rings have same size.

I have Action Fours  cast  836 pistons too. Same ring sizes.

I'm rather sure all these use the CB 350 twin  +1mm rings.

[wwsummersjr]

Info much appreciated fellas! I'll reach out to MRieck about the head.
BTW, this also came with engine...

[Stev-o]

Where in Texas are you?  I have a good contact for machine shop work in the Austin area.

[wwsummersjr]

Dayton, Tx, 20mi East of Houston. I work in Houston/surrounding area. Willing to ship to someone if I have a warm & fuzzy feeling :-)

[Stev-o]

Dayton, Tx,

I know where Dayton is, we used to waterski on the San Jacinto River near Crosby.
Nasty river but the booze made it tolerable!

[MRieck]

 Hastings (as George pointed out) or Total Seal for rings. Exactly what happened to the seats? The machine shop I use does not use stones.....they use a Serdi which is pretty much industry standard.

[hondaron]

Stev-o, who do you use for machine shop work in the Austin area ?

Becoming harder and harder to find   

[Stev-o]

Stev-o, who do you use for machine shop work in the Austin area ?

I'ved used Curtis at Custom Cycle for head work and cylinder boring on my Hondas and Kawasakis.

It's a small shop in Cedar Park, not cheap, but he has always done things right.

https://m.facebook.com/pages/Custom-Cycle-and-Machine/132992610104213

[wwsummersjr]

Hastings (as George pointed out) or Total Seal for rings. Exactly what happened to the seats? The machine shop I use does not use stones.....they use a Serdi which is pretty much industry standard.

Mike,
It appears the M/C shop I used in the 80's used incorrect stones to cut valve seat angles. The seats probably only needed lapping, but that yahoo did not do a fab-up job to say the least. I was only a novice mechanic at the time, but knew enough to know he screwed the pooch. I became an Air Compressor Technician 41yrs ago & not an M/C brainiac like ya'll. I need to send head to someone that knows WTF they're doing to assess head. 

[wwsummersjr]

Stev-o, who do you use for machine shop work in the Austin area ?

I'ved used Curtis at Custom Cycle for head work and cylinder boring on my Hondas and Kawasakis.

It's a small shop in Cedar Park, not cheap, but he has always done things right.

https://m.facebook.com/pages/Custom-Cycle-and-Machine/132992610104213

Stev-o,
I'll give Custom consideration, but that FB link not yielding much info other than a phone #. Link appears corrupt. I'll call him (got a name?) Anyone else know them?

[wwsummersjr]

Stev-o, who do you use for machine shop work in the Austin area ?

I'ved used Curtis at Custom Cycle for head work and cylinder boring on my Hondas and Kawasakis.

It's a small shop in Cedar Park, not cheap, but he has always done things right.

https://m.facebook.com/pages/Custom-Cycle-and-Machine/132992610104213

Stev-o,
I'll give Custom consideration, but that FB link not yielding much info other than a phone #. Link appears corrupt. I'll call him (got a name?) Anyone else know them?

NM, I put my glasses on...Curtis :-)