2000 February 18 (Friday)
Cylinder heads
![Box of heads](./t-20000218-1129-1454.jpg)
Box of heads
The heads and related parts have been waiting in this box for quite a while. Time to do something with them.
Valve lapping
![Valve seats](./t-20000218-1135-1455.jpg)
Valve seats
![Lapped valve seat](./t-20000218-1137-1456.jpg)
Lapped valve seat
I used a magic marker around the valve seat so that when I lap the valves I can see how well the valve surface matches the seat. The first picture is before lapping, the second after lapping.
Valve components
![Valve springs and keepers](./t-20000218-1148-1457.jpg)
Valve springs and keepers
![Ready for keepers](./t-20000218-1153-1458.jpg)
Ready for keepers
I used a C style valve spring compressor. It was just the right size for /2 heads. The first picture show the bits before installation, the second has the intake springs in place, but the keepers haven’t been installed yet.
Install valves
![Compressed spring](./t-20000218-1201-1459.jpg)
Compressed spring
![Head ready to install](./t-20000218-1204-1460.jpg)
Head ready to install
The first picture shows the valve spring compressor in use. I used a dab of assembly lube on the keepers to hold them in place until I released the spring compressor. The second picture shows the head ready to mount on the cylinder.
Head hardware and push-rods
![Head hardware](./t-20000218-1208-1461.jpg)
Head hardware
![Pushrods](./t-20000218-1246-1462.jpg)
Pushrods
![Head gasket](./t-20000218-1247-1463.jpg)
Head gasket
I cleaned the head bolts and and rocker assemblies. The push-rods were positioned (for the photo, only) and a new head gasket was put in place. The gasket was used clean and dry. I believe this is correct.
Install cylinder head
![Head in place](./t-20000218-1255-1464.jpg)
Head in place
![Rockers, head bolts](./t-20000218-1308-1465.jpg)
Rockers, head bolts
I held the head in place using the top and bottom bolts then positioned the push-rods, rocker arm assemblies, and the 4 main head screws. I torqued the head screws in a cross pattern at 15, 20, then 25 ft-lbs.
Dirty threads
![Dirty threads](./t-20000218-1459-1466.jpg)
Dirty threads
Problem number 1 - the torque wrench clicked on the top and bottom head bolts while they’re still 1/4 inch away from the face of the head. I took the head off of the cylinder and used a tap to chase the threads. My thoughts were that some paint got on the threads when I painted the cylinders.
Adjusting valves
![Adjusting valves](./t-20000218-1518-1467.jpg)
Adjusting valves
![Left side done](./t-20000218-1522-1468.jpg)
Left side done
The second time the heads went on very smoothly. There was no end play in either the rocker arm assembly. I set the valves and installed the valve cover with a new gasket. This is how the bike is supposed to look.
Rocker arm assembly
![Rocker assembly parts](./t-20000218-1623-1469.jpg)
Rocker assembly parts
![Right intake OK](./t-20000218-1623-1470.jpg)
Right intake OK
The right side head was supposed to go on just like the left side. Instead, I wound up with a bag full of pieces of the exhaust rocker arm assembly. The end play was excessive, and when I took the assembly off the bike to try to adjust it it fell apart in my hand.