heli-coil cam bearing bolts

Hey folks, has anyone successfully installed heli-coil inserts in the cam bearing caps bolt holes in the cyl head? Does the head have to be off the cyl head to do this? I have a KZ 1000 1980

do a search for this topic. this has been discussed a lot. i hope you find your answers...i would help you but i know very little about this type of repair. good luck!

yes it has been done many times, I would also suggest using "tap magic ' for alum, it will help with the drilling and taping, the cost of a lit will be about 50 bucks from a good parts store

I've installed helicoils on a kz1000 and a gpz1100 and I would not attempt without removing the head. Research the archives. There are some tricks for getting the camshafts in and out without stripping the threads. It's a good idea to chase all the threads anyway. Measure the length of the bolt and subtract the heifht of the cam cap. Run your tap deep enough to get an extra full turn of thread. Blow everythign out. You can't torque the bolts properly if they are running into crap at the bottom of the hole.

Once the camshafts out, removing and installing the head presents very little additional work and provides an opportunity to inspect the valves, guides, springs, and cylinder bores. IMO it's much easier than trying to work a tap in a tight space.

-Duck

Post edited by: Duck, at: 2007/01/15 12:58

I have helicoiled many cam caps with the head on the motor in the bike. Just be slow and careful and it should be no problem.

I have helicoiled many cam caps with the head on the motor in the bike. Just be slow and careful and it should be no problem.

I did it with no problem. I put some petroleum jelly (vasoline) around the outside of the hole. It helped to catch all the shavings that come out. I also put vasoline onto the drill bit to help. Be carefull and go slow. Good luck