Topic: 350F: If I took my valve cover off and started kicking...

[fmctm1sw]

Well, here's the background...  I started my '72 project the other day and got this awful clacking/pinging type sound from it.  It went away relatively quick and didn't do it when I started it right back up.  I'm beginning to wonder if those oil pipes that spray oil on my rockers are clogged or something.  It isn't something I would suspect though, being that I went through the top end and replaced all the gaskets and seals not that long ago.  So the plan is to take the valve cover off and crank the motor over with the start button.  I should observe a stream of oil coming from those little pipes correct?  There is sufficient oil in it as well, and just changed too.  Sound reasonable?

[scunny]

yep, you should have a lovely amount of oil coming up there, have a rag handy

[mattcb350f]

WHOH THERE!! those oil pipes are held down by the cam cover. If they are plugged, or even if not, they will shot right out. Look away when you do this.

 Matt.

[fmctm1sw]

and here's the follow up.  Hopefully the photos will show what I am talking about. 

I took off my valve cover and noticed that the reservoirs under the cam were lower than I thought they should be.  I kind of figured that's what would happen it the bike sits for a week at a time, they kind of drain I guess.  I kicked the bike over a few times and didn't really see anything coming out of those oil pipes.  I kicked a little harder then it started with little bubbles at the holes in the pipes.  I used the electric starter and within a few seconds, I had a small stream coming from the outer holes on each side.  Not much from the outer holes (#2 and #3 cylinders).  I know the pipes are clear, I just had the top end apart and redid the gaskets.  Perhaps I'm not developing enough oil pressure?  But my oil light goes out.  So perhaps that's all the oil pressure I should expect by kicking and spinning with the electric start?  I  guess the true test will come when I get my top end gasket set for my other 350F and see what it does when I try this.  That's the beauty of having two bikes. . comparison...

[Tim in Ohio]

So... about that clanging?  What are you thinking now?

[fmctm1sw]

What I am thinking is that clacking happens when the reservoirs under the cam aren't full.  After the motor runs a short time, those reservoirs fill up.  Then the #2 and #3 cam lobes splash through the oil regardless of what is coming out of the oil pipes and it quiets up.  Of course, if the pipes were totally clogged, the reservoirs would never fill.  My other 350 doesn't do it though.  So when I get my new top end gasket set, I'm going to watch it.  I have another engine, I may yank the oil pump out of it depending what my other one does.  I suppose I could just run the electric start with the ignition off for 10 seconds of so but I'd like to figure out what's going on...

[many408]

Well, here's the background...  I started my '72 project the other day and got this awful clacking/pinging type sound from it. 

It's possible to put the cam in upside down; this will give you a LOT of noise.

And bent valves and possibly a hole in a piston...

When you did your engine, did you remove and replace the cam?