Engine Just Blew??

"only got 180 miles "... :blink:

Well no freaking wonder she' so clean... Damn, I put that many on my first rebuild trip just to break her in for ~ 500 miles...

Your old girl isn't even broke in yet!
She's still a virgin! :blush: :laugh:

With some miles on her, and some re-torquing as you go you may find this all goes away... As Plummen and Larry have taught me... On a new motor build, these bolts throughout the engine and mounting are going to back off during the break in period de to vibrations and heat so double check ALL OF THEM during this time frame for it's normal.... Of course I have found this to be 100% accurate.

PLUMMEN wrote:

are your bolts threaded to top or do they have a shoulder on them,could shoulder be botteming out against threads in head ?

Very good point that I hadn't thought of! I think they're OK but I will double check for sure. All of the bolts are the same (picture below) except for the 8 securing the reed valve covers.

run the bolts down into head without valve cover and measure amount left from surface of head to bottem of bolt head and compare to valve cover thickness,id also lay a straightedge across bottem of valve cover in a couple differant directions to make sure its flat

Old Man Rock wrote:

"bolts loosen up"...

I also use this on the SS bolts to aluminum threading, wonder if this is making a difference as well....

Dave....don't be putting that stuff inside your motor. Use oil or white grease for bolt lube inside the engine

Great... now you tell me this! :blink: :laugh:

The image is over exaggerated with the amount on the threads... Just a light coat....

Dave has been known to boldly put things where no man has gone before.:laugh: Mike I'm glad you got it figured out. That bike is sweet. Next time I'm in Cleveland we gotta meet up. Pops too. Oh btw.........still have that A1 seat. I change it out sometimes from the LTD seat on my 77. Thanks again.

Definitely let me know when your in OH. I have several friends that are getting back into biking after taking some time off and we have a pretty nice group of old KZ's together now.

my 79 MKII plus a 76 KZ750, a 78 Z1-R, a 79 LTD 1000, and an 80 LTD 1000 - all good buddies of mine. We've been calling ourselves the "kawboys"! :laugh: I guess we've seen "wild hogs" too many times.

OK, ordered SS lockwashers yesterday and they arrived today. I have everything back together and hope to try it out tomorrow. (checked the bolt length and they were OK)

The new washers are specifically designed for the socket head cap screws I'm using (allen head) so they are the same outside diameter and the material matches perfectly. You really can't even see them - very pleased with how they came out. I don't think they'll loosen up again but I'll check just to be sure.

I cleaned everything really well, scuffed the cam cover sealing surface again and used gaskacinch for sealer. I didn't use loctite or anti-seize. I'll add a little anti-seize when I have it apart again if it holds together. It looks real nice so I hope it works this time.

I'll let you know how it goes!

Good... maybe now you can claim 200 miles on the rebuild.... :woohoo: :laugh:

Old Man Rock wrote:

Good... maybe now you can claim 200 miles on the rebuild.... :woohoo: :laugh:

The big 2-0-0! I just might do it! :laugh:

FINALLY took the bike for a ride today and no leaks! Hopefully this gasket will hold up as long as the bolts stay tight this time.

btw OMR - I broke 200 miles today!! :woohoo: :woohoo: :laugh:

about damn time!

Maybe tomorrow you can break a record and go for what.... 225 miles... :S :laugh:

I guess you don't have to worry about oil changes.... Leaks thus always new oil and throw in where you don't have any mileages on her.... Hell that motor is going to last for ever....

All serious though, awesome, glad you got her dialed in....