helicoils

how much stronger are timeserts then the actual threads??

My understanding, is Time-Serts are steel, and the engine is made up of Aluminum, that will strip if over torqued(especially cam cap bolts)If you're talking about a Kz 1000 or Kz/GPz 1100, the torque is wrong in the shop manuals, as it should be 66 inch pounds, not 12 foot pounds.

Kawasaki Cam Cap Bolt Torque

Cam Cap Bolts - 8ft/lbs and no more. Oil the threads before you install them. Make SURE the dowels pins have the tapered end pointing up toward the cam cap. Drop of oil on them and inside the cap boss hole where the dowels slide in.

Remove the 17mm cap nut, spring and split plunger to unload the tensioner. You need to do that when ever the valve cover is removed to prevent over tight cam chain on J motors(which the Police Kawasaki is).

Do not re-install the split plunger, spring & cap nut until after you have the valve cover installed.

Yes theyre much stronger when properly installed

I've installed both Heli-coils and Time-serts for thread repair, having better success with Time-serts which are a superior thread repair system in my opinion. Heli-coils are easier to install, much cheaper, and readily available.

Question: Has Kawasaki ever issued an official service memo suggesting the torque spec for (only) the cam cap bolts be changed from what is stated in the service manual?
Or, is it a general assumption that the tightening spec was universally printed in error, and never acknowledged by Kawasaki?

Regarding camshaft cap bolts:

FSM for Z1~KZ900 provides 104 in-lbs;

FSM for 1977~79 KZ1000 provides 95~113 in-lbs.

Good Fortune!

mine are timeserts..just wondering..and yes they were on cam cap bolts..