Topic: CB550 engine cleaning advice

[Rigs]

Hi

I have stripped down my CB550 1974 down to a rolling frame currently.

Looking at getting forks / wheels and engine off / out finally.

However I wanted to check to see what people advise on engine cleaning.

There is a ton of crap built up under the engine and I see some people say yes to a pressure wash (plugging up and exposed holes in the engine obviously.

Others say no, do it all by hand, brush and so on. I have got some "mother's " engine polish for the finer cleaning.

What would people advise and also for getting an engine out. Mine only has a side stand so would a paddock stand be suitable or is it worth investing in a jack / lift ?

I'm a newby to the work but so far there's no massive horror shows apart from the wiring loom really.

Attached a recent picture of just before how I left it today.

Thanks alot

Max

[HondaMan]

You must remove the oil pan and the oil pickup tube and the hose inside before pulling the engine out. Be careful to not dent that pan gasket surface on the bottom of the engine enroute, or it will forever leak oil there. Then put those parts back in as soon as you get the engine out to protect things as you move it around.

Then you can seal off the carb inlets with HEAVY plastic bags: the exhaust is a little harder to seal up. Don't blast water into those exhaust ports, or rust will quickly freeze the cylinders.

[Scott S]

 I've wrestled the engine in and out without removing the sump, but it's a PITA.

 If you're going to remove the suspension, look into the "frame over engine" method of installation and just do the reverse.  Have a friend help you lay it down (on some piled up towels or something soft) and lift the frame off. Take the carbs off first.

 I put my engines on a stand and then stuff cut up rags in the intake/exhaust ports, then tape over them. I clean them by hand with a brush, degreaser, etc., and a garden hose, though. No pressure washing.

[Can550]

I removed motor without removing oil pan. Stuffed plastic bags in inlets + duct tape and golf balls in exhaust ports (bolted flanges back on). Power washed, degreased with simple green, wipes few times with parts cleaner. Scuffed, wiped few times with parts cleaner and painted with DP1615, covers were polished. About 14-16 months ago, still holding well.

 





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[calj737]

Lay the bike on the right of the engine on some blankets. First loosen the motor hanger bolts. Remove the oil filter housing. Lift the frame off the motor.

With regard to Simple Green, you do need to be mindful of using it unless it's heavily diluted. It has a pH that is not very respectful of aluminum and can turn many parts dark grey. Not so much a problem if you intend to paint the engine afterwards... But a decent Dish Soap, lots of elbow grease, nylon scrub brushes, and a few pails of water is all you need.

I'd avoid a pressure washer unless you plan to open the motor. Even after washing, I'd pour a gallon of diesel through the top end and slowly rotate the crank, then drain the oil pan well. Remove the pan ultimately and clean out the 40 years of gunk. Oil pump in on left side, beneath shift cover and that needs cleaning out as well.

[Rigs]

I am honestly starting to think someone has welded this onto the engine... Tried all techniques so far I can think of.

Don't really have the tools for welding something onto it.

Any suggestions for getting this off?

I assume this must need removing to get the engine out the frame

[750K5]

I am honestly starting to think someone has welded this onto the engine... Tried all techniques so far I can think of.

Don't really have the tools for welding something onto it.

Any suggestions for getting this off?

I assume this must need removing to get the engine out the frame

That's your oil filter housing. Are you able to remove the bolt? Mine was not stuck. The housing just seats on a smooth flange with an o ring in the housing. With bolt removed you should be able to lightly tap with a rubber mallet on the side avoiding the fins. Alternate sides when tapping carefully. It should let go.

[calj737]

I am honestly starting to think someone has welded this onto the engine... Tried all techniques so far I can think of.

Don't really have the tools for welding something onto it.

Any suggestions for getting this off?

I assume this must need removing to get the engine out the frame

Use a Propane or MAPP gas torch and heat it cherry red hot- you won't hurt it.
Use a hex (not a 12-pt) wrench or socket and gently try to wriggle it back and forth instead of trying to break it fully loose. The steel bolt has corroded within the aluminum engine case threads. Once removed, use AntiSieze lightly on the bolt threads upon installation.

[Rigs]

Yeah I heard it needs removing to get the engine out (the filter housing )

This bolt on is on there with more force than the sun's gravity.

I've tried lube (WD40) spanners and various things. Tried to file the edges flat either side and use an adjustable.

Tried heat on it.

Seems impossible to remove

[steeldoncb550]

I clean my engine with super clean and a soft bristle brush. Also I removed my 550 engine without removing the oil filter housing or breather cover. It can be done.

[Stev-o]

Tried heat on it.

Need to get it hotter.

BTW - I never pressure wash my bikes.  Gunk Foamy Engine Cleaner works great.

[Rigs]

I clean my engine with super clean and a soft bristle brush. Also I removed my 550 engine without removing the oil filter housing or breather cover. It can be done.

Did you do the lay it on its side technique then ?

That may just have to be the next thing and I leave the filter for another time

[jakec]

Either use vise grips or those sliding adjustable spanners with sharp teeth.. not sure what they're called. WD-40 is already useless but the threads are way inside the housing so putting penetrating oil on the part you can see is useless. The threads should be doused in oil anyways and not need penetrant. Same thing with heat, in order to heat the threads you would need to heat the outside part you can see long enough that the inside gets hot too.

[calj737]

Tried heat on it.

Unless you get it cherry red, its not hot enough. Propane will barely work. Use MAPP gas (yellow canister). You'll be surprised at how well it works.

[kerryb]

I am honestly starting to think someone has welded this onto the engine... Tried all techniques so far I can think of.

Don't really have the tools for welding something onto it.

Any suggestions for getting this off?

I assume this must need removing to get the engine out the frame

Last time I was in that spot, a small new pipe wrench (6") was able get enough grip on it.  Then turn the damaged flats down in a lathe to fit a hex nut welded onto the stub.  Or buy a new bolt, I'm just cheap!
For cleaning the heavy/greasy gunk,I use a spray bottle of kerosene, sharp wood sticks for scrapers, and various brushes.  Tp make access easier I put the engine on a stand over a plastic tote to catch the stuff coming off.

[steeldoncb550]

I clean my engine with super clean and a soft bristle brush. Also I removed my 550 engine without removing the oil filter housing or breather cover. It can be done.

Did you do the lay it on its side technique then ?

That may just have to be the next thing and I leave the filter for another time

No but you 100% need another set of hands. I tried myself for an hour and couldn’t figure it out. With another set of hands had it out in 3 minutes.

[Rigs]

No luck with it so far.

Getting hold of propane in this lockdown is hard though.

Left that for now. Tried the lay on side technique but with the filter on its just not clearing.

I thought about that the top cover of the engine but I guess I'm better off taking off the oil pan at the bottom , rather than exposing piston covers or whatever is under that (never opened a CB before )

It's almost there with nothing taken off but maybe an inch or so and it will just not give.

Mega annoying, luckily a beer has stopped me from just burning the garden, house and street down

[steeldoncb550]

No luck with it so far.

Getting hold of propane in this lockdown is hard though.

Left that for now. Tried the lay on side technique but with the filter on its just not clearing.

I thought about that the top cover of the engine but I guess I'm better off taking off the oil pan at the bottom , rather than exposing piston covers or whatever is under that (never opened a CB before )

It's almost there with nothing taken off but maybe an inch or so and it will just not give.

Mega annoying, luckily a beer has stopped me from just burning the garden, house and street down

Just take off the breather cover. Trust me it can be down without taking the breather cover off or the oil filter housing or pan. Make sure you do lots of small wiggling, tilt the engine lots to try different angles, has to be lifted to the filter housing will clear the frame. Also has to come out the right side only. I imagine you have the exhaust and carbs off lol

[Bankerdanny]

I am honestly starting to think someone has welded this onto the engine... Tried all techniques so far I can think of.

Don't really have the tools for welding something onto it.

Any suggestions for getting this off?

I assume this must need removing to get the engine out the frame

Stuck oil filter housing bolts are a right of passage with Hondas. People WAY over tighten because they think they need to in order to prevent leaks.

My last resort method for the last stuck one I had to deal with was to use a cold chisel (a small one 1/2 - 3/4 inch wide) and small sledge or deadblow hammer. The flange on the bolt is more than big enough for the chisel to bite without damaging the housing. You may need to order a replacement bolt, but that is worth while anyway. There are a number of sources on Ebay that sell a replacement with a 17mm head that is less likely to strip out if the bolt gets stuck again.

[Rigs]

I did try with the breather cover off but it's just caught on the top of the engine itself.

I could try removing the whole top section of the engine but not sure this is wise.

Would the oil pan be better to take off ?

[Rigs]

Took oil pan off and still stuck.

Cylinder head cover etc is only thing that will make it clear I think.

Pretty soul destroying with the oil filter being impossible to remove.

[jakec]

Pretty soul destroying with the oil filter being impossible to remove.

LOL. Dude

There are a million things you could try (most of the main ones already said here). before you write the eulogy you can just take it to a shop and pay $50 to have them do it.

[Register]

$35 new. Grind it off

[jakec]

True and with it looking like that you want a new one anyways.

[Rigs]

Yeah I will have to grind it.

It genially looks like someone tack welded it lol. I can see what looks like a suspect seam.

I took the cylinder head cover and oil pan off and FINALLY the engine is out.

Getting that cover off was a nightmare in itself. All the screws were shot (I swear they are made out of pewter or something lol- whats the softest metal we can find ??)

The only issue is the very brittle alloy cracked a little chip off the corner as I tried to (gently) ease the cover off.

See pictures....

Hopefully this won't affect it / leak or cause pressure issues.