Last questions of engine build

Ok, head is back from machine shop, assembled and placed over the wiseco pistons on my 81 kz750. By the way the head is a gpz head, along with the cams. I dont have buckets to cover the valve spring retainers for the gpz head, but figured i would use the ones from the kz750 head. They dont seem to fit. I am assuming the gpz buckets are slightly bigger, is this correct?

Next, the cam chain seems to be very tight, and I cannot spread both cams to their spots. Even if I accomplish this the cam chain would be VERY tight, isnt there supposed to be a little slack in the chain?

Also, I have heard that plugging the holes for the Emmission system deal that sits on top of the valve cover will make it unusable. The head is already installed, but can I put a rubber stopper/plug like device in the hole to solve this problem?

Lastly, I will need to time the motor. Is their a trick to doing this? Are any special tools required. I will soon have access to a service manual for this bike and I assume it will give directions for this procedure. Would the timing be the same as recommended in the manual even with the gpz head/cams?

Thanks alot, KZrider has been alot of help throughout this build

need divfferent retainers, take the tensioner off, and yes it has the info you need.

themachine wrote:

need divfferent retainers, take the tensioner off, and yes it has the info you need.

Different retainers? Are you referring to the bucket like objects that cover each valvespring?

The cam chain tensioner is already off, any other ideas?

Help would be GREATLY appreciated, I would like to get it all together soon.

If your talking about the 2 plates on top of the valve cover, just run a hose from one side to the other! Everyone here has done it, will actually run better with emissons off, no more back fire thru the exhaust!

By any chance is the head you are putting on taller than the old one so you need a longer chain? If not that, is the chain on the lower spocket or binding somewhere so you don't have it pulled up all of the way.

Figured out cam chain issue. I pulled off the ignition cover and turned the motor over a little. This seemed to free up more chain, and both cams fit nicely now.

Anybody know about my retainer question yet???

The cams are just snugged down for now, until I can figure out about the buckets, or retainers if these are the same thing. Then, I noticed numbers and arrows on the deals that hold the cams down. Does anybody have a picture of the order these go on.

The exhaust caps are numbered 1 to 4 left to right,, the intake are 5 to 8 left to right,,, all arrows point to the front.
Left to right is still counting cylinder 1 on the left.

Post edited by: The Milkman, at: 2007/11/17 21:56

Thanks alot Milkman, you've been alot of help

This may sound dumb, but is there a distinguishing mark that seperates the exhaust cam from the intake cam. I havent looked too closely yet, but they look the same.

Somewhere I read that the exhaust cam is acutally darker because it is hardened more. And if you look at the arrows that line up with the head you can see them from the right hand side of the engine. Hope this helps.

Post edited by: The Milkman, at: 2007/11/17 22:52

make sure when you install the cams that the 1 and 4 pistons are at TDC, you can do this by looking at the advancer plate and turning the engine with a 13mm wrench to where the "T" mark by "1-4" is perfectly lined up with the marking. A retainer is what holds the valve and the spring together. It is the round flat thing that is ontop of the valve spring, that the valve stem pokes through.

Don't turn the engine with a 13mm wrench, you could break the head off it, use a 17mm on the bigger inner nut!!!!