Topic: Replacing clutch cable

[gsmittles]

My son and I pulled the engine from my 78 cb750K yesterday and I'm going to need to replace the clutch cable.  How do I get it out of the engine?  Also, when riding it last summer I heard a zing and the engine lost compression and the tach went to zero, then the engine quit.  Anybody have any idea what might have went wrong? 

[wrenchmuch]

Sometimes the 750's have problems with debris blocking oil passages to the head . This can result in cam bearing damage and can also break the camshaft ( you might hear the sound you describe when this happens). If the right side of your cam broke away from the rest of the shaft you would lose your cam drive . Happened to me but I got warning in the form of bearing squeel and shut it off before the shaft broke . If this is the case with yours you will likely be needing some cam related parts to fix the problem . Loosen off all your clutch adjustments (leaver and nuts ouside of clutch cover ) remove the clutch adjustment cover and release the cable from the leaver under the cover . Should pull right out .
Good luck
Mike
P.S. you could also have a broken camchain

[gsmittles]

Thanks for the reply.  I was afraid the the cam was probably cooked.  When I pull things apart, should I get the valves ground?  This is the first time that I'm taking an engine apart.  I plan to replace all the gaskets as long as its apart.  Is there anything else that I should replace when I've got it opened up?

Thanks.

[wrenchmuch]

When my cam seized I had hoped to fix the top end and get back on the road. Nothing besides the camshaft and the cam bearings were damaged . I ended up doing a lot more than what was needed to just get the bike back on the road .
I'm happy I went the route I did but it cost a lot of money ( about $2000 just for parts ) . You won't know what you need untill you start looking inside . At this age any of the internal rubber parts like tensioners will probably be hard and could use replacement . You might want to start a new thread maybe titled "Seized Cam " so more people take notice . There are a lot of people around here that will help you through the whole process . If you don't have a manual yet you can get a download of one here .

http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php?topic=17788.0
You might also consider finding a running engine but you might just end up with problems there as well .
Good luck
Mike

[gsmittles]

Thanks a lot for the information.  I did download the Honda Service Manual and have read the sections about the cam and a few other things as well.  I'll put the new post up later today about the cam.  Thanks again.