Author Topic: CB550 Rocker Arm Removal (Read 6898 times)

Pain · « **on:** June 27, 2011, 09:17:00 AM »

I feel like I'm going to break this thing, so I assume I'm doing it wrong... someone please explain how to get these rocker arms out.

TwoTired · « **Reply #1 on:** June 27, 2011, 09:36:24 AM »

The 8 shafts slide out towards the out side. (Early type.)
See the threads in the shaft. Screw a bolt in there and they can be pulled out.

If the cover is a newer model (probably is), there are pinch bolts holding in 4 shafts. There are four nuts on top of the cover, that are loosened and the pinch bolts tapped downward, which release the four shafts.

Interesting you ask for information without providing make, model, and year of the engine.

Why are you taking it apart? You need to keep the the tappet /cam lobe association. So, put them back exactly where you found them.

Pain · « **Reply #2 on:** June 27, 2011, 11:31:59 AM »

so are you saying i shouldn't take it apart? i figured it would be easier to polish with the rocker arms out, and i was also considering switching these rocker arms with ones from a different engine that was cleaner. i guess it would be easy to transfer the other ones in, in the correct order.

this engine is in pieces also, i'm completely rebuilding it.

i put the make and model in the subject. sorry if u missed it. it's a 76 cb550.

i appreciate your response

TwoTired · « **Reply #3 on:** June 27, 2011, 12:50:46 PM »

Quote from: Pain on June 27, 2011, 11:31:59 AM

so are you saying i shouldn't take it apart? i figured it would be easier to polish with the rocker arms out, and i was also considering switching these rocker arms with ones from a different engine that was cleaner. i guess it would be easy to transfer the other ones in, in the correct order.

this engine is in pieces also, i'm completely rebuilding it.

i put the make and model in the subject. sorry if u missed it. it's a 76 cb550.

The subject just says: CB550 Rocker Arm Removal.
I could tell it was from a Cb550.

Somewhere in 76 Honda transitions from the 8 floating shafts to 4 pinned shafts.

If you are going to coat it with polishing compound, probably best to take it apart.

The cam follower faces are wear matched to the cam after break in. Essentially they polish each other. Changing mated surfaces begins another break-in cycle, which wears off more metal.

dave500 · « **Reply #4 on:** June 27, 2011, 12:54:28 PM »

yours has the four shaft locking bolts,they are wedge shaped where they meet the shaft and may need to be knocked out,when you replace them dont over do them as this can easily crack the cover,,those followers look rusty anyway,or is that a grease coating?your bottom photo shows the threaded area to get a 6mm bolt into so you can pull it,it also has a slot so you can align the flat section to marry up to the shaft agian on reassembly.

Pain · « **Reply #5 on:** June 27, 2011, 01:04:36 PM »

oh boy. this sounds like i'm getting in over my head! i'll try to get a pic up in a couple minutes of my other top to see if it's the same. also, i'm putting a new cam in if it matters.

thanks for the help guys.

TwoTired · « **Reply #6 on:** June 27, 2011, 01:08:12 PM »

A brand new never used cam? Or, a new to you cam?

Pain · « **Reply #7 on:** June 27, 2011, 01:16:41 PM »

brand new from webcam.

they are different...

i should still be able to swap these rocker arms out to use the clean ones with a new webcam right?

Pain · « **Reply #8 on:** June 27, 2011, 01:18:07 PM »

u can also pick up why i'm swapping them... some douche talked me into sandblasting all my parts that i wanted to polish and charged me $100.

TwoTired · « **Reply #9 on:** June 27, 2011, 03:56:00 PM »

If you have a brand new cam, then use the rockers with the best or least wear pattern on the cam follower faces.
Cam lube is also recommended. I assume some came with the new cam?

Do you have stiffer valve springs for the new cam?

Greggo · « **Reply #10 on:** June 27, 2011, 04:21:46 PM »

Good info in here.

Pain · « **Reply #11 on:** June 27, 2011, 04:24:28 PM »

ok. yeah i have new heavy springs and the cam did come with new lube. but other than that i'm good to go? i'll just transfer those other rocker arms out and put them in the empty slots in the same order. or should i pick and choose between both sets for which ones are least worn?

i agree. this is great info. i just got the iphone 4 and added photobucket to it. it really makes it fast and easy to post with good pics. i'll probably start a detailed build thread soon now that it's that easy.

Pain · « **Reply #12 on:** June 27, 2011, 04:28:42 PM »

moreover, the rocker arms are identical other than wear, correct? as in it doesn't matter which one i put where if i'm swapping them with another set and using a new cam.

Greggo · « **Reply #13 on:** June 27, 2011, 05:27:58 PM »

All rocker arms should be identical.

Pain · « **Reply #14 on:** June 27, 2011, 05:37:42 PM »

amen brother.

now to find a 6mm bolt...

dave500 · « **Reply #15 on:** June 28, 2011, 01:51:52 AM »

as tt pointed out select the best looking less worn rockers,if any look a bit sus find new ones,these parts have a great deal of pressure on them at any revs and any signs of rust or pitting or hard face wearing off and they shouldnt be used on your brand new cam,,idealy the rockers should all be replaced with the new cam,,no one would ever run worn lifters or visa versa on say a small block new cam,you can get away with it a little more on these engines though,little being the operative word,sure plenty will chime in and say how they have mixed and matched these parts,so have i,but for a new cam i myself would run new or rebuilt rockers(hard face welded and reground)

TwoTired · « **Reply #16 on:** June 28, 2011, 09:38:11 AM »

Almost certainly your new cam has more lift, and that coupled with the heavy springs means there will be significantly more pressure on the cam followers and cam lobes than in stock form. This leaves less margin for mismatched matings surfaces, as before the wear in, the loads will not be spread evenly across either surface. It's those high pressure points that you hope will wear down smoothly before galling occurs. Once galling starts, the result is often the cam lobe rounding down to a smooth, perfectly round bearing surface that no longer moves the valve off the seat. BTDT.

New parts are best, but you can sometimes get away with using the best looking used parts. You should certainly be able to feel your fingernail slide across the surface with no snags or irregularities felt.

Cheers,

Pain · « **Reply #17 on:** June 28, 2011, 09:40:03 AM »

not what i wanted to hear, but glad i heard it

Greggo · « **Reply #18 on:** June 28, 2011, 09:46:13 AM »

Quote from: TwoTired on June 28, 2011, 09:38:11 AM

BTDT.

Quote from: TwoTired on June 28, 2011, 09:38:11 AM

New parts are best, but you can sometimes get away with using the best looking used parts. You should certainly be able to feel your fingernail slide across the surface with no snags or irregularities felt.

Cheers,

That would be ideal, but even DSS only has 3 in stock.

TwoTired · « **Reply #19 on:** June 28, 2011, 09:51:56 AM »

Been There Done That

Pain · « **Reply #20 on:** June 28, 2011, 10:07:12 AM »

i emailed dynoman.. i'll post their reply

Pain · « **Reply #21 on:** June 28, 2011, 01:07:45 PM »

from dynoman:

Unfortunately the rocker arms for the CB500-550 are no longer in production, however we can have them hard chromed and re-ground for $59 each. This is a hard chrome process and is much stronger than the flash chrome that came on them from the factory.

dave500 · « **Reply #22 on:** June 28, 2011, 01:31:39 PM »

silvers might have three in stock but see if they can get more,they dont list it as no longer available from honda.

Pain · « **Reply #23 on:** June 28, 2011, 04:46:21 PM »

twotired: you and i have completely different meanings of the word 'tap'...

for anyone in the future that does this: i had to beat the hell out of those bolts before they budged. i used a socket screwdriver with a small socket on it to stay on the bolt and a rubber hammer. once you get those 4 bolts out, a 6mm bolt (6m -100 machine bolt at lowes - $0.92) can screw in a few threads to pull out the shaft. the four shafts came out really easy - just using my fingers.

dave500 · « **Reply #24 on:** June 28, 2011, 05:29:04 PM »

a bolt from elsewhere on the engine would work also.

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Author Topic: CB550 Rocker Arm Removal (Read 6898 times)