Author Topic: hello! reassembly help request  (Read 836 times)

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Offline shamal

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hello! reassembly help request
« on: March 07, 2015, 03:06:00 PM »
 :) hello to all! is this the right section???  i'm from italy, i found this wonderful forum so..since , i have to restore a 400 four engine i think your help it's absolutely essential .. this forum it's amazing!
first of all i apologize for my poor english, all i know it's what i learn on the web, so be patient please :P

i have a question: on the pdf shop manual of this bike i saw the section about head removal and installation but i have some doubts:

1: it's necessary remove the sprocket from the camshaft to take the camshaft off? and the tensioner? 
2: when i will have to clean the old gasket's debris i have particular steps to follow?
3: when i have to reinstall the head with new gasket (i know i have to wet the new gasket with a film of fresh oil)
4: where is the correct sequence of cam chain tensioner reinstallation?

any help for this work it's really appreciated! 

i hope in your help :) some pics soon!!

Offline Bodi

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Re: hello! reassembly help request
« Reply #1 on: March 07, 2015, 06:47:09 PM »
1: it's necessary remove the sprocket from the camshaft to take the camshaft off? and the tensioner? 
Yes. To get the cam out you remove the tensioner blades and the sprocket bolts, shift the sprocket over to the smaller diameter beside where it sits, and work the chain off the sprocket teeth... then the cam will pull out. It will not lift enough to clear the head otherwise.

2: when i will have to clean the old gasket's debris i have particular steps to follow?
You have to clean it before you reassemble. You can get gasket softening spray stuff, gentle scraping is usually all that's needed. A bronze wire brush (hand or wheel) can be used if you're careful and gentle. I avoid steel brushes because they can scratch the surfaces badly, and bits of steel tend to be embedded in the alloy.

3: when i have to reinstall the head with new gasket (i know i have to wet the new gasket with a film of fresh oil)
The tiny seals for the two oil metering orifices are super important. These engine love to seep oil from the head gasket at the ends because those seals are bastards. If your head gasket is a fraction thicker than Honda's original one, it's very likely you'll have oil seeping out. I don't have any magic to get them to seal, maybe someone else here does?
You can coat the head gasket with a few things: aluminum paint or Hylomar are popular. DO NOT use silicon sealant for any gasket surface that extends into the inside of the engine cases (ie head or case halves = never, points cover = maybe if you really love silicon sealant). The sealant will extrude tiny beads into the inside when clamped down, these will get into the oil where they love to clog vital oil passages.

4: where is the correct sequence of cam chain tensioner reinstallation?
Make sure the rubber blocks are in place at the bottom mounts, or on the blade ends. Install the cam, set the front blade in place with the bottom seated properly, set cam in correct alignment with the crank while turning it back to tension the chain a bit against the front blade (only one tooth setting will be right, it's obvious when it's even one tooth out). Undo the lock screw, push the rear blade down so the adjusting mechanism is at loosest, tighten lock screw. Making sure the bottom is seated properly, install the rear blade and its top mount with rubber block.

Once the cam is definitely set with the line parallel to the head at TDC, use a bit of thread locker on the sprocket bolts and torque to spec: these make a big mess if they loosen out. Some on the rear blade top mount bolt is good as well.

Assembly lube should be used on the cam bearing surfaces.

Offline shamal

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Re: hello! reassembly help request
« Reply #2 on: March 08, 2015, 03:31:03 AM »
thank you body! your help it's priceless!!! ok, now i have a better mind picture of what i have to do..
it's correct to say then... the first thing i have to do it's remove the tensioner pushrod cap and the tensioner ''hold'' bolt?

ah, little OT: floats height it's 22 mm on the 400?
« Last Edit: March 08, 2015, 03:34:23 AM by shamal »

Offline shamal

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Re: hello! reassembly help request
« Reply #3 on: March 09, 2015, 02:20:21 AM »
nobody?  ::)

Offline shamal

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Re: hello! reassembly help request
« Reply #4 on: March 14, 2015, 02:08:24 AM »
 :-[

Offline Stev-o

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Re: hello! reassembly help request
« Reply #5 on: March 14, 2015, 02:56:54 AM »
Bongiorno from Texas!

Momo is our resident CB400 expert, he may be able to help. 
'74 "Big Bang" Honda 750K [836].....'76 Honda 550F.....K3 Park Racer!......and a Bomber!............plus plus plus.........

Offline shamal

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Re: hello! reassembly help request
« Reply #6 on: March 14, 2015, 04:44:47 AM »
buongiorno a te!!!  :) ok i keep waiting  ;D

Offline mrfish2

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Re: hello! reassembly help request
« Reply #7 on: March 14, 2015, 09:04:06 AM »
20mm is what it says in my Haynes manual
1976 CB550K            1979 XS1100
1980 CB650C - Sold

It's a little motor and likes having the tits revved off it.

Offline MoMo

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Re: hello! reassembly help request
« Reply #8 on: March 14, 2015, 05:49:58 PM »
thank you body! your help it's priceless!!! ok, now i have a better mind picture of what i have to do..
it's correct to say then... the first thing i have to do it's remove the tensioner pushrod cap and the tensioner ''hold'' bolt?

ah, little OT: floats height it's 22 mm on the 400?




Are you trying to remove the cam?  I do not understand what first thing I have to do means...Larry

Offline shamal

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Re: hello! reassembly help request
« Reply #9 on: March 15, 2015, 03:24:42 AM »
no i decided to leave cam in place since engine was ok , so i don't have to change the head gasket.
i removed just the rocker cover to paint it and polish well the tappets plugs.
so the engine it's already synched. there are some important things to consider when reintalling the rocker cover?

for the floats height i'm confused, haynes says 20 mm as mrfish2 show, manual tells 21 mm, on the web i found 22 mm  :o :o :o nobody know the right height? your what is?

Offline MoMo

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Re: hello! reassembly help request
« Reply #10 on: March 15, 2015, 04:00:49 AM »
Make sure the gasket is in the groove, do not use silicone as Bodi said, and use a X pattern of tightening starting in the middle and working out.  22mm float height...Larry

Offline shamal

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Re: hello! reassembly help request
« Reply #11 on: March 15, 2015, 04:28:05 AM »
thank you larry!

Offline Stev-o

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Re: hello! reassembly help request
« Reply #12 on: March 15, 2015, 06:58:55 AM »
thank you larry!

+1, thanks Larry. 

BTW - there is another forum member in Italia with a 400F.   I believe he is in Florencia. 
Where are you?
'74 "Big Bang" Honda 750K [836].....'76 Honda 550F.....K3 Park Racer!......and a Bomber!............plus plus plus.........

Offline shamal

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Re: hello! reassembly help request
« Reply #13 on: March 16, 2015, 02:27:21 AM »
yes there is, i prefer your help ;)