Cleaning Valves

Hi everyone,

I've been doing a lot of work on my 1978 Kz650 SR in prep for the warm weather. I had stripped one of the cam caps threads and managed to helicoil it earlier today. However, when I was drilling out the old stripped threads a metal shaving jumped out and fell under one of the valve's retainers. What would be the best way to clean this and get the shaving out to avoid it being sent into the cylinder when I put the head back on.

Thanks!

Since the head is off I'd pull all the valves and replace the valve stem seals. it's pretty easy and doesn't cost much. You can find the chip at that point. Wouldn't hurt the clean the valves and seats and lap them too. And just a reminder that OEM gaskets are best. Aftermarket gaskets range in quality to passable to criminally crappy.

I should've mentioned I just got the head back after having APE Race parts do a valve job on it. Made a stupid mistake while I was bench shimming it and stripped one of the cam threads. Is there a quick and easy way of cleaning under the retainer? Would pouring a tiny bit of oil under the retainer to try and drain it out work? I'm fairly new to working on bikes and I'm still trying to figure it out hahah. I don't have the tools to remove the valves. Thank you for the advice!

Might be able to hold it upside down (with the valve closed) and flush it with kerosene,or wd40 and a spray bottle. Use a clean pan to see what you get out but I'd still be nervous about leaving something behind (although I think this might get it). I did all 16 heli's before I sent mine to Ape cause of the worry about stripping a few.

I would use compressed air. Oily liquids will leave a film that the chip can stick to.

Just release the collets , top retainer and springs.
Remove the swarf and re-assemble.
No need to remove the valve or disturb the stem seal.

zed1015 wrote: Just release the collets , top retainer and springs.
Remove the swarf and re-assemble.
No need to remove the valve or disturb the stem seal.

Even better.

Compressed Air! Plus it is only aluminum! It will just flush away into the pan

cg94 wrote: I should've mentioned I just got the head back after having APE Race parts do a valve job on it. Made a stupid mistake while I was bench shimming it and stripped one of the cam threads. Is there a quick and easy way of cleaning under the retainer? Would pouring a tiny bit of oil under the retainer to try and drain it out work? I'm fairly new to working on bikes and I'm still trying to figure it out hahah. I don't have the tools to remove the valves. Thank you for the advice!

How did you like the job they did?

Big KZ Jay wrote:

cg94 wrote: I should've mentioned I just got the head back after having APE Race parts do a valve job on it. Made a stupid mistake while I was bench shimming it and stripped one of the cam threads. Is there a quick and easy way of cleaning under the retainer? Would pouring a tiny bit of oil under the retainer to try and drain it out work? I'm fairly new to working on bikes and I'm still trying to figure it out hahah. I don't have the tools to remove the valves. Thank you for the advice!

How did you like the job they did?

Hi Jay,

APE did an amazing job. I'm really happy with the work they did and I'm excited to get the head back on the bike. Just need to get the carbs cleaned and points set while the snow melts here.

Thank you for the advice everyone going to try this stuff out tonight.