Topic: Tappet Adjuster Question

[smccloud]

Ok,
I went out for a ride yesterday to help my parents with something and I hear a horrible sound.  Come to find out that the #1 cylinder tappet adjuster came loose and the locknut came completely off in almost no time.  My big issue is how do I find the damn locknut?  Instead of completely pulling the engine, can I leave just the rear engine bolt in place and drop the front down to get a little more clearance to lift the valve cover up for more room to look?  And then if I can't see it, pull the engine (and finally put a new head gasket in).

I'm stuck riding a new fangled DOHC 750 Honda for right now, and I miss my baby already.

[bradweingartner]

My suggestion would be magnet first if not the Valve Cover. I'm sure it's just sitting down by the valve seal.

Depending on what it is, I thought the 500/550s you could get the valve cover off without pulling anything but the tank. Don't quote me on that one though, been a while since I've even seen my bike...

[smccloud]

My suggestion would be magnet first if not the Valve Cover. I'm sure it's just sitting down by the valve seal.

Depending on what it is, I thought the 500/550s you could get the valve cover off without pulling anything but the tank. Don't quote me on that one though, been a while since I've even seen my bike...

couldn't see it down there, but then again i am going on two hours of sleep right now since i had to move out of my apartment in a hurry due to my crazy now ex-fiance.  that why i need to get the bike running, it whill help me keep my mind off what happened.

and sorry, its a 750.

[scondon]

 With the SOHC 750's the engine must be taken out of the frame to remove the valve cover. Not sure how far it can be lifted for a peek underneath with the motor still in the frame.

   Those adjuster nuts don't typically go shooting off when they back out with engine running. They kinda just stick around right in the are of the rocker they fell off. The location of the valve adjuster port can make it difficult to see around inside but my guess would be that nut is resting against the valve cover just to the left or right of the rocker arm it came off. A thin, curved tool might be able to dig it out without much fuss.

[smccloud]

With the SOHC 750's the engine must be taken out of the frame to remove the valve cover. Not sure how far it can be lifted for a peek underneath with the motor still in the frame.

   Those adjuster nuts don't typically go shooting off when they back out with engine running. They kinda just stick around right in the are of the rocker they fell off. The location of the valve adjuster port can make it difficult to see around inside but my guess would be that nut is resting against the valve cover just to the left or right of the rocker arm it came off. A thin, curved tool might be able to dig it out without much fuss.

yeah, i just want to know if i can pivot the engine forward some to get a little more clearance to lift it up.  my dad and i both looked, but as we have 4 hours of sleep since sunday morning total we might have missed it.

[754]

I have not tried, but have seen it posted on here that some have changed their valve cover gasket in the frame..


I dont hink lifting the valvecover is a problem... removing it or the head is the problem.. so you will be able to get it out, try a wire.

 The lady.... red hair by any chance..?

[scondon]

With the SOHC 750's the engine must be taken out of the frame to remove the valve cover. Not sure how far it can be lifted for a peek underneath with the motor still in the frame.

   Those adjuster nuts don't typically go shooting off when they back out with engine running. They kinda just stick around right in the are of the rocker they fell off. The location of the valve adjuster port can make it difficult to see around inside but my guess would be that nut is resting against the valve cover just to the left or right of the rocker arm it came off. A thin, curved tool might be able to dig it out without much fuss.

yeah, i just want to know if i can pivot the engine forward some to get a little more clearance to lift it up.  my dad and i both looked, but as we have 4 hours of sleep since sunday morning total we might have missed it.

   I've never tried just pivoting the engine on the rear hanger but would guess that you could only get 1/4-1/2" drop in the front which would translate to less up at the rear of the valve cover. Then you're left with cleaning the gasket surfaces and reinstalling a new gasket in a tight working space.

  There is a bowl shaped recess in the head surrounding the valve/spring and the deepest points of the bowl are to the side and rear(against the valve cover) of the valve spring. The bowl size is not much larger than a silver dollar and each bowl ( 8 total ) is kept separate from the adjoining one by a high ridge( except the 77-78 750F model ). In front of each bowl (towards the middle of the head) is the high, insurmountable wall of the cam towers. There's just not a lot of places for that nut to go except right around the base of the spring, either to the side or against the valve cover.

    I doubt you will ever see the locknut but you should be able to fish for it with the right tool and save yourself a bunch of work. Sleep on it

[Gordon]

A magnet on the end of a flexible wand is what you need. 

[NickC]

Same thing happened on my 550.  I was lucky enough to see it resting on the top of the valve, and fished it out with a pick.

[nteek754]

smccloud you wont get much movment of the engine  Like Ive always said they fit like a glove. I would do the magnet thing with maybe some air, keeping the magnet in there to hopfully catch it. we did this some 20 years ago on a 73 750 got lucky. Now you could rig up a shop vac with a Magivorized skinny end and go suck the little bastard outta there be persistant and I feel you wil retrive it  good luck keep us posted  Craig in Maine

[Bob Wessner]

Magivorized..

A new technical term?

[smccloud]

thanks for the replies guys.  guess i may be pushing the thing back up to the front today to look again.  and no, my ex is not a red head, just crazy

she called me last night to tell me she is now moving out of the apartment and i can move back in.........argh

[smccloud]

it looks like it will be time to pull the engine.  i cannot find the lock nut around the valve spring at all

[lordmoonpie]

it looks like it will be time to pull the engine.  i cannot find the lock nut around the valve spring at all

Hey look on the bright side - at least now she's gone you can strip the engine IN the apartment - woohoo! 

[smccloud]

it looks like it will be time to pull the engine.  i cannot find the lock nut around the valve spring at all

Hey look on the bright side - at least now she's gone you can strip the engine IN the apartment - woohoo! 

i don't have a key right now, and am currently living 75 or so miles from the apartment
my dad and i will do it in his driveway since the garage is full of my stuff................
at least i will finally get the head gasket replaced

[NickC]

Did you try and vacuum, or compressed air to see if its in there?

[smccloud]

Did you try and vacuum, or compressed air to see if its in there?

not gonna try the compressed air, and i can't get to my dad's shop vac.  plus i have been putting off the head gasket since i got the bike around 3 years ago 

[754]

Dont use compressed air, it wont bring it to the front & worse may go down cam chain cavity..

I have heard the camchains Honda uses have nut allergies..




Give it a few hours of trying, feel around with a bent wire..

It may be over at the next valve..

[UnCrash]

Hey Mate,

I had the same thing happen to me on my 750F.  Turns out that the #2 tappet nut was nestled down in a nook by the spring. 

I was able to remove the cam tower cover, unscrew and gently pry up the valve cover and there it was.  I pulled it with a magnetic wand, and re-fastned the covers.

Miraculously there was no oil leaking so I haven't replaced the valve cover gasket.

[smccloud]

meh,

i'll just pull the engine since i have wanted to replace the head gasket since i bought the bike