1981 750 LTD Valve Clearance

Hi guys. I picked up a 1981 LTD 750. I got it running but the #2 pipe was cold. While I have the carb rack out for cleaning, I decided to check the valve lash and have a couple questions:

1. The 80-83 FSM states clearance at .08 - .18. All are in the range except #2, which is tight, but I can move the bucket. I'll pull the front cam out, to check the shim. I've never done this before. Do I need a special tool to take the bucket off? Anything in particular to be aware of?

2. FSM has torque of the camshaft bolts at 104 in-lbs. Is this correct because I thought I read somewhere on this board that there was a typo...

Thanks
Nick

nicksorg wrote: Hi guys. I picked up a 1981 LTD 750. I got it running but the #2 pipe was cold. While I have the carb rack out for cleaning, I decided to check the valve lash and have a couple questions:

1. The 80-83 FSM states clearance at .08 - .18. All are in the range except #2, which is tight, but I can move the bucket. I'll pull the front cam out, to check the shim. I've never done this before. Do I need a special tool to take the bucket off? Anything in particular to be aware of?

2. FSM has torque of the camshaft bolts at 104 in-lbs. Is this correct because I thought I read somewhere on this board that there was a typo...

Thanks
Nick

I think that's he correct value (that's what I used on mine) but don't exceed it as the bolts strip easily. You need a low range torque wrench that accurately measures 100 I-P.

Thanks. I have torgue wrench that will work well with that requirement. Here are my lash measurements. These are close since I don't have a complete set of metric feeler gauges:

Intake(1)= .152
Intake(2)= .102
Intake(3)= .152
Intake(4)= .076

Exhaust(1)= .102, shim = 270
Exhaust(2)= (tight), shim = 270
Exhaust(3)= .127, shim = 260
Exhaust(4)= .076, shim = 260

I only pulled the exhaust cam out. It looks like I can buy a 2.65 for exhaust 1 and a 2.50 for exhaust 4 and move a 2.60 to exhaust 2. Feedback welcome.
Thanks
Nick

nicksorg wrote: 2. FSM has torque of the camshaft bolts at 104 in-lbs. Is this correct because I thought I read somewhere on this board that there was a typo...

That's too high, you run the risk of stripping them. I use 85 in-lbs, but there was another thread that suggested even lower for camshaft cap bolts.