Clearancing Head for Cams - Photo?

Does anyone have a photo that shows what the areas need to be clearanced for higher lift cams?

I'm considering getting a set this winter for my Kz and was just curious. I'll likely end up with a drop-in set, but I'm curious where and how much material typically needs to get removed and since I don't have a set of non-drop-in cams I'm having a tough time visualizing what needs to be done (although I think I have an idea?).

Thanks in advance!

DoubleDub wrote:

Does anyone have a photo that shows what the areas need to be clearanced for higher lift cams?

I'm considering getting a set this winter for my Kz and was just curious. I'll likely end up with a drop-in set, but I'm curious where and how much material typically needs to get removed and since I don't have a set of non-drop-in cams I'm having a tough time visualizing what needs to be done (although I think I have an idea?).

Thanks in advance!

X2 Plummen said he was going to do just this thing, but I somehow missed the post.

Which KZ?

For my 650 the cover is high so unless your running over .400" then it does not have to be ground... I think the 900 might have some "X"'s cast in the cover to deal with.

As for the head, the area is the cam lobe pathway from the insides of where the bucket rides up and down to the gasket surface on both sides of the bucket hole... usually have to take roughly 1/8" out of there - it depends how big the cams are... you can't take so much as to ruin the gasket surface.

Don't have a photo to show you... think I explained it good enough.

Inside surface of stock valve cover (see image) may need relieving (by grinding down the X marks) to prevent contact by cam lobe.

Good Fortune!

Injected wrote:

Which KZ?

For my 650 the cover is high so unless your running over .400" then it does not have to be ground... I think the 900 might have some "X"'s cast in the cover to deal with.

As for the head, the area is the cam lobe pathway from the insides of where the bucket rides up and down to the gasket surface on both sides of the bucket hole... usually have to take roughly 1/8" out of there - it depends how big the cams are... you can't take so much as to ruin the gasket surface.

Don't have a photo to show you... think I explained it good enough.

Thanks, that helps, but I'd love to see a clearanced head to compare to my stock head.

I think the 900/1000 heads were similar with a lift over .400 requiring clearancing, although I remember Larry preaching that you should never assume and always double check with aftermarket cams .... :silly:

Patton - you wouldn't happen to have a picture of a clearanced head near the buckets would you?

DoubleDub wrote:

Injected wrote:

...KZ...900 might have some "X"'s cast in the cover to deal with.
As for the head, the area is the cam lobe pathway from the insides of where the bucket rides up and down to the gasket surface on both sides of the bucket hole... usually have to take roughly 1/8" out of there - it depends how big the cams are... you can't take so much as to ruin the gasket surface.
Don't have a photo to show you... think I explained it good enough.

Thanks, that helps, but I'd love to see a clearanced head to compare to my stock head.
...happen to have a picture of a clearanced head near the buckets....

Sorry, no pic of clearanced head near the buckets.
Am also learning from this thread.
Guessing the described relief would be from the area indicated in red on this pic (both sides of bucket tower, but one side hidden by lobe in this pic).

Good Fortune!

[Click on image to enlarge view.]

On second thought, may be referencing the area shown in blue.

Seems pretty scary to me --- cutting into an already thin gasket mating surface.

Good Fortune!

:laugh: :laugh: :laugh:

That second picture with the red and blue is exactly what I am talking about... my head is currently on the bike and all buttoned up for its winter nap, so no chance of a pic... but yes if you need to thin the gasket flange, it is what it is, cam can't rotate without clearance - no issues so far.

I went almost half way across the gasket flange - only as wide as the lobe, because I am running a massive cam in the 650 head.

So I guess the pics are already up...

Patton wrote:

Inside surface of stock valve cover (see image) may need relieving (by grinding down the X marks) to prevent contact by cam lobe.

Good Fortune!

you are correct sir on a 900/1000....i have a decent example in the garage i just referenced...i believe it to be good for .410 cams if anyone is interested.....

:woohoo:

kzz1p wrote:

:woohoo:

exactly...........mine has better machine work though....