Starting a new thread regarding doing the heads on my '85 LTD here in Victoria. Have already started to peruse the forum(s) for information regarding this. I have read where a valve job can be expected in the 160,000 Km (100,000 miles) range – there are 152,000 Kms on the engine now – reasonable I think.
This will be the first bike I will have torn apart to this extent, have lapped valves on a car engine before and rebuilt several engines in my younger days. From what I have read it should not be too difficult, the timing being the most critical item.
Have been looking into the parts required such as head gasket, possibility of new valve guides, new intake/exhaust valves, water system o-rings, camshaft seals, valve seals, and others. Don't have to worry about valve lash/adjustment as this bike has hydraulic lifters.
Have also been reading up on compression and leak down tests. Lots of good information regarding this regarding benefits and what is expected when this is done.
Also thinking ahead to the day when I might have to do an engine rebuild. Using car piston rings for one. Canuckxxxx has used rings from a 1984 1.3L Honda Civic. Looked into how to properly gap piston rings and what I might need to do it. Canuckxxxx has also used the valve seals from this car as well.
I think a leak down test along with a more current compression test is in order when I return with the other bike. I have a lot of confidence in the piston rings being fine as I am not using or loosing oil.
I am looking forward to giving this a go and see the engine improvement because of it; however, I do consider the cost involved with such an endeavour.
Priced the cost of Honda head gaskets, approximately $150.00 CDN for the pair. New valve guides are approximately $240.00 CDN, valve stem seals approximately $10.00 CDN, new intake/exhaust valves are $50.00 CDN each. Cost does add up – expect the cost for both heads will be around the $500.00 mark.
Is it worth it? A question I ask myself and my friends ask me as well. I had breakfast with a friend whom I have known for over 40 years, he worked on HDs when he left our Navy and he was adamant that this is for me, and with it the satisfaction as well. Besides, I get a lot of satisfaction keeping up with the new boys with a 33 year old bike, and the better half likes riding on it as well.
Lots of logistics to get in place before I tear into the engine, and lots of bikes being worked on to the same extent as I intend to do. Read the Wanderer III thread on this issue, very informative.
More to follow. Cheers
This will be the first bike I will have torn apart to this extent, have lapped valves on a car engine before and rebuilt several engines in my younger days. From what I have read it should not be too difficult, the timing being the most critical item.
Have been looking into the parts required such as head gasket, possibility of new valve guides, new intake/exhaust valves, water system o-rings, camshaft seals, valve seals, and others. Don't have to worry about valve lash/adjustment as this bike has hydraulic lifters.
Have also been reading up on compression and leak down tests. Lots of good information regarding this regarding benefits and what is expected when this is done.
Also thinking ahead to the day when I might have to do an engine rebuild. Using car piston rings for one. Canuckxxxx has used rings from a 1984 1.3L Honda Civic. Looked into how to properly gap piston rings and what I might need to do it. Canuckxxxx has also used the valve seals from this car as well.
I think a leak down test along with a more current compression test is in order when I return with the other bike. I have a lot of confidence in the piston rings being fine as I am not using or loosing oil.
I am looking forward to giving this a go and see the engine improvement because of it; however, I do consider the cost involved with such an endeavour.
Priced the cost of Honda head gaskets, approximately $150.00 CDN for the pair. New valve guides are approximately $240.00 CDN, valve stem seals approximately $10.00 CDN, new intake/exhaust valves are $50.00 CDN each. Cost does add up – expect the cost for both heads will be around the $500.00 mark.
Is it worth it? A question I ask myself and my friends ask me as well. I had breakfast with a friend whom I have known for over 40 years, he worked on HDs when he left our Navy and he was adamant that this is for me, and with it the satisfaction as well. Besides, I get a lot of satisfaction keeping up with the new boys with a 33 year old bike, and the better half likes riding on it as well.
Lots of logistics to get in place before I tear into the engine, and lots of bikes being worked on to the same extent as I intend to do. Read the Wanderer III thread on this issue, very informative.
More to follow. Cheers