cam timing problems z1000

Hi all,

As part of the ‘restoration’ of my 1977 Z1000, I have refurbished the cylinder head valves etc. After fitting the cams and timing chain I rotated the crank by hand and guess what the cam timing is out even though I have followed the instructions to the latter; both cam marks line up with the cylinder head and the 28th pin mark lines up correctly, but every time I turn the engine after approx 350 degrees number 1 inlet valve begins to open as number 1 piston is just coming up to TDC!!!! Any body offer any help, should the cam lobes when setting the cam timing be horizontal or straight up as one other post suggested?

Many thanks

Stressed Z1000 owner

Maybe I can help, Is your cams with the marks lined up to the valve cover gasket surface as you stated? Then the cams have a notch on the right end, these should be pointing EX to the front, IN to the rear also lined up with the gasket surface. Now if this looks right, I believe that when all marks are correct that you are not on the Firing stroke for #1 but 360 out. Most engines time this way. So you would see that you would be approaching valve overlap when you were looking at having your intake moving. Valve over lap is at TDC but with a 4 stroke engine TDC happens twice in a cycle. If it is done according to your book and it all turns freely, test your compression. It will suck if your timing is wrong. Just make sure that it all turns by hand before engaging the starter.

Many times the wrong marks are used. Use this mark for exhaust.

Use this mark for intake. If you turned the engine over using any other marks, might as well disassemble now as you have bent valves.

As Ron pointed out... also notice your cam lobe orientations....

NOTE: This is for a KZ900 head with performance cams and adjustable sprockets so yours may slightly be different but regarding the 28th tooth count and lobe orientations, should be reaaaaaaaaaaaal close...

This image is from the right side of the bike, pistons 1/4 TDC....

As reviewed in the above image, it's easy to be off in the lobe tip to head decking...

Corrected....

Your advancer may be different (Patton has an updated procedure for the KZ1000)....

Again, for a KZ900, seems to be ~ the same though....
I have the later advancer then depicted in the shop manual for mark alignment, otherwise should be ~ the same...

Please someone correct if incorrect!

We are on the right track here, but you MUST be absolutely certain you are on the right pin (28th). It's really easy to miss it by one.

Likely see the style advancer shown below when seeking to align the T mark with the permanent case mark, used to fix the crankshaft at Top Dead Center incident to assuring correct cam timing.

Good Luck!

[Click on image to enhance view]

Hi Motor Head,

Great advice, it now begins to make a lot more sense! It seems the lobes are the key to this, it explains why the inlet valve is just beginning to open as #1 piston is coming up to TDC.

Many thanks

Mark:)

Hi Ronk,

Many thanks for the pictures and your sound guideance, will attemt to refit cams over next few days will keep you posted.

Cheers

Mark

Hi old man rock,

Your pictures explain it all! Thats where I am going wrong, I am looking at the lobes being symeetrically opposite each other, looking at this pic the inlet is slightly above the head.

Many thanks

Mark