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Camshaft reinstallation

Posted: Mon Apr 06, 2009 10:44 pm
by spizzak
Hey everyone I have a quick question about reinstalling the cams. Just to be 100% sure, if I rotate the alternator a few time after installing the cams and everything is okay, I have them installed correctly right? In other words, if they were installed incorrectly, say on tooth off on one or both cams, it would be obvious after a few rotations right?

I'm just worried that its only a bit off and after starting my bike it will rotate enough times that the timing will become wrong and damage my engine.

Re: Camshaft reinstallation

Posted: Mon Apr 06, 2009 10:52 pm
by demon_knight69
quick answer...yes it should be pretty easily noticeable. i'm note sure what the cams on the 400 look like, but i assume its pretty similar to the 600. on the 600 there are little dots on the cams, i believe those should be pointed directly down. there should be some markers on the head to line them up with. make sure the pistons are at TDC and those dots pointed down and you should be good to go :cheers:

Re: Camshaft reinstallation

Posted: Tue Apr 07, 2009 11:32 am
by reelrazor
The timing won't change with rotations...you can be one tooth off and not have a valve/piston clearance issue...if it will start that way, it won't run worth dick.

Check and double check cam timing....have a cup of coffee(beer-whatever)...button it up and have faith in yourself.

Re: Camshaft reinstallation

Posted: Tue Apr 07, 2009 2:10 pm
by the_finch
demon_knight69 wrote:quick answer...yes it should be pretty easily noticeable. i'm note sure what the cams on the 400 look like, but i assume its pretty similar to the 600. on the 600 there are little dots on the cams, i believe those should be pointed directly down. there should be some markers on the head to line them up with. make sure the pistons are at TDC and those dots pointed down and you should be good to go :cheers:
I actually want to say that it's with the dots up and matched to the dots (or arrows) on the camshaft retainers.

just get the cams reinstalled and install the chain tensioner, and spin it over one time by hand (turning the flywheel) until you attive back at TDC, and make sure the dots line up properly. When I first reinstalled the camshafts after my valve shim adjustment, I jumped a tooth on the exhaust camshaft (frontmost cam). It wasn't obvious until I torqued the camshaft down and re-installed the chain tensioner. Then, it was pretty obvious that I had the timing off.

Just keep in mine, mine was on a 600, not a 400. They should be the same, but they might have some minor differences... my2cents