Experts to the rescue!

sel86vf500 · 11-29-2008, 12:54 AM

Restoring an 86 VF500, had to replace head gasket. Found something I can't figure out.
Finally found a head gasket, went to install it today. Since it had been a couple of months since I tore it apart, I went through the shop manual again. It stated that the 2 camshafts were labled INF and EXF, mine are both EXF???
I was pretty sure which one went to intake & exhaust when I took it apart.
So, I reinstalled the way I took them out, checked lobe position, lined up sprockets, every thing looked ok. replace cam holders. released spring on tensioner.
Besides having 2 of the same cams, I cycled the engine using a wrench, but it only goes around albout 1 revoultion, then it locks up. I didn't want to crank on it, but it seems it should keep cycling through. I was turning it counterclockwise, then went back clockwise, still locked up.
Is this normal or did I screw up?
I believe I got the tensioner correctly installed.

Thanks for any help.

squirrelman · 12-01-2008, 08:50 PM

you're cam timing is wrong......try it again.
be careful or you'll bend a valve.

sel86vf500 · 12-01-2008, 09:51 PM

I took the cams back out & tried it again, same thing. I didn't take the chain tensioner back out again, so I think that might be why it is in right. I will take the tensioner out, put the pin back in, and try it again.
Thanks,
Scott

GreyVF750F · 12-03-2008, 10:12 AM

Wait a minute. Was this bike running before you took it a part??? If not check the other two cylinders and see if both cams are marked INF. There's no way two exhaust cams will work on one cylinder set. You most likely have the valve timing out so far that your valves at some point are hitting the pistons.

sel86vf500 · 12-03-2008, 10:26 AM

No, the bike was not running, head gasket was shot. But, it would crank over when you tried to start it. The other cyclinder has the correct cams. INR & EXR, that is why I'm a little confused. It did turnover before, but I agree the valves are hitting the top of the cyclinder. I looked up the hieght of aech cam, and they are different by .004.

masonv45 · 12-04-2008, 02:23 PM

You need the appropriate cams...

loopsandlogic · 12-05-2008, 03:16 PM

Just a pointer from someone that's been in your shoes, make sure you don't mix up your cam covers, cause it will throw off your tolerances with the plastic gauge.

Cheers

LL

JamieDaugherty · 12-07-2008, 01:30 PM

Man, it sure sounds like you were given a set of parts that were thrown together. I'll bet the PO put the exhaust cam in the intake spot and aligned it so that then engine would turn over. You'll need to find a front intake cam, that exhaust cam will not work.

I wonder if I have one in my pile of VF500 spares.... PM me if you'd like me to take a look.

RVFR · 12-07-2008, 01:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by masonv45

You need the appropriate cams...

Dito, you've gone this far now make it right.

sel86vf500 · 12-14-2008, 12:20 PM

I am searching for a FR-IN cam. My plan is to get it back together over x-mas break (Teacher). If any of you have a spare, make me an offer. My bike is an 86, but my engine is a 84 or 85. I think 84-85 cams are the same, but I will check part #'s. Thanks for all the info. That's what makes these forums worthwhile!
Scott

JamieDaugherty · 12-14-2008, 05:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sel86vf500

I am searching for a FR-IN cam. My plan is to get it back together over x-mas break (Teacher). If any of you have a spare, make me an offer. My bike is an 86, but my engine is a 84 or 85. I think 84-85 cams are the same, but I will check part #'s. Thanks for all the info. That's what makes these forums worthwhile!
Scott

Found one for you Scott, check you PM's. In the process I realized that I'm missing a water pump for one of my VF500F's, if anyone has a spare let me know.

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11-29-2008, 12:54 AM	#1 (permalink)
sel86vf500 Junior Member Join Date: Sep 2008 Last Online: 01-01-2009 08:00 PM Posts: 15 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Experts to the rescue! Restoring an 86 VF500, had to replace head gasket. Found something I can't figure out. Finally found a head gasket, went to install it today. Since it had been a couple of months since I tore it apart, I went through the shop manual again. It stated that the 2 camshafts were labled INF and EXF, mine are both EXF??? I was pretty sure which one went to intake & exhaust when I took it apart. So, I reinstalled the way I took them out, checked lobe position, lined up sprockets, every thing looked ok. replace cam holders. released spring on tensioner. Besides having 2 of the same cams, I cycled the engine using a wrench, but it only goes around albout 1 revoultion, then it locks up. I didn't want to crank on it, but it seems it should keep cycling through. I was turning it counterclockwise, then went back clockwise, still locked up. Is this normal or did I screw up? I believe I got the tensioner correctly installed. Thanks for any help.

12-01-2008, 08:50 PM	#2 (permalink)
squirrelman Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Last Online: Today 03:29 PM Location: barf-a-load, ny - Find Me! My Ride: '86 VFR 700Fs (3)/ '97 VFR 750F/ '88 NT 650 HAWK (3)/ '86 Yamaha Radian/ '66 Yamaha YL-1/ '88 VTR 250 (2)/ '73 CB 125 View my Photo Gallery Posts: 973 Thanks: 7 Thanked 36 Times in 36 Posts	you're cam timing is wrong......try it again. be careful or you'll bend a valve. __________________ " Goin' to Hell in a bucket, but at least I'm enjoyin' the ride....... " "It's no use, mate, the bottom's fallen out......."

12-01-2008, 09:51 PM	#3 (permalink)
sel86vf500 Junior Member Join Date: Sep 2008 Last Online: 01-01-2009 08:00 PM Posts: 15 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Thanks I took the cams back out & tried it again, same thing. I didn't take the chain tensioner back out again, so I think that might be why it is in right. I will take the tensioner out, put the pin back in, and try it again. Thanks, Scott

12-03-2008, 10:12 AM	#4 (permalink)
GreyVF750F Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Last Online: Today 12:24 PM Location: West of Cleveland Ohio My Ride: 1983 VF750F View my Photo Gallery Posts: 123 Thanks: 0 Thanked 4 Times in 4 Posts	Wait a minute. Was this bike running before you took it a part??? If not check the other two cylinders and see if both cams are marked INF. There's no way two exhaust cams will work on one cylinder set. You most likely have the valve timing out so far that your valves at some point are hitting the pistons. __________________ Cop! What cop?

12-03-2008, 10:26 AM	#5 (permalink)
sel86vf500 Junior Member Join Date: Sep 2008 Last Online: 01-01-2009 08:00 PM Posts: 15 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	No, the bike was not running, head gasket was shot. But, it would crank over when you tried to start it. The other cyclinder has the correct cams. INR & EXR, that is why I'm a little confused. It did turnover before, but I agree the valves are hitting the top of the cyclinder. I looked up the hieght of aech cam, and they are different by .004.

12-04-2008, 02:23 PM	#6 (permalink)
masonv45 Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2007 Last Online: Yesterday 11:27 AM My Ride: 1985 VF700F Posts: 694 Thanks: 0 Thanked 17 Times in 16 Posts	You need the appropriate cams... __________________ 1985 VF700F 1983 V45 Magna Gone but not Forgotten Memphis, TN

12-05-2008, 03:16 PM	#7 (permalink)
loopsandlogic Senior Member Join Date: May 2008 Last Online: 01-03-2009 10:57 AM Posts: 126 Thanks: 1 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Just a pointer from someone that's been in your shoes, make sure you don't mix up your cam covers, cause it will throw off your tolerances with the plastic gauge. Cheers LL __________________ "When your driving a Interceptor, there's no rules, there's no traffic, there's just open road and endless possibilities"

12-07-2008, 01:30 PM	#8 (permalink)
JamieDaugherty Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2006 Last Online: Today 07:11 PM Location: Fort Wayne, IN - Find Me! My Ride: 1998 VTR1000F 1995 YZ125 1984 VF500F (4) 1984 VF1000F (3) 1984 VF700F (5) Posts: 558 Thanks: 4 Thanked 19 Times in 19 Posts	Man, it sure sounds like you were given a set of parts that were thrown together. I'll bet the PO put the exhaust cam in the intake spot and aligned it so that then engine would turn over. You'll need to find a front intake cam, that exhaust cam will not work. I wonder if I have one in my pile of VF500 spares.... PM me if you'd like me to take a look. __________________ Jamie Daugherty jamie@daughertymotorsports.com www.daughertymotorsports.com

12-14-2008, 12:20 PM	#10 (permalink)
sel86vf500 Junior Member Join Date: Sep 2008 Last Online: 01-01-2009 08:00 PM Posts: 15 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	X-mas project I am searching for a FR-IN cam. My plan is to get it back together over x-mas break (Teacher). If any of you have a spare, make me an offer. My bike is an 86, but my engine is a 84 or 85. I think 84-85 cams are the same, but I will check part #'s. Thanks for all the info. That's what makes these forums worthwhile! Scott

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