Gl1100 Engine freshen up....

[bk2valve]

Hi,
I mentioned a while back that I am doing a renovation of my sidecar rig. I am now starting to pull the engine I had planned to use....and when I stored it the engine turned over pretty easily...i has sat for 4 or so years and now I find that it is stuck...and may find once I pull the heads that it needs to be honed or even bored and reringed, etc.....I had already planned to pull and check out the heads, replace the water pump, timing belts, clutch plates and whatever else I found that might need to do. I want this to last me the rest of the time I ride...67 now and who knows how much longer but I don't want to be working on something all the time...I just want to build a nice bike and ride the wheels off it.....
I don't want to go looking for a low mileage engine and just live with not knowing how it will do for me...I would like to do some Mexican trips and need it to be in tip-top shape....
This is a nice looking engine from a low mileage parts bike (50K) that I bought with a crapped out starter and some other issues.....
So....I need to know if any of our guys or gals have done what i am planning to do? Better yet, anyone rebuild one completely? I have rebuilt a number of Honda bike engines so am not intimidated and i grazed the site for whatever parts sites I could find...so now...the experience...anyone I can hit up with questions that might come up? :help: :laptop:
Thanks all,
Brian

 

[dan filipi]

The bottom end of these flat 4's are very strong.
Regular oil changes are key.

As for not turning over now but it did before, squirt some atf in the plug holes and let it sit a couple days.
I bet it will free up but don't rush it, don't want to damage a ring.

To make a reliable engine I would replace both head gaskets but also have the heads surfaced flat.
These blocks don't warp so no worry there.

There isn't much needs to be done to these engines besides what already mentioned.

 

[bk2valve]

Ahh, good news Dan....earlier, soon after I posted I had gone out and done just that....a little oil in the cylinders and viola! movement! I will let it set and work it slowly and let it lube up well....
So from what you say, f there is no prob with the rings....I may just be able to replace head gaskets along with the other peripherals and be a happy camper...Thanks. :thank_you:
I will take your advice and have the heads surfaced....we have a small but good machine shop here in town...
This is good news....
Brian

 

[dan filipi]

You may not even need to do head gaskets right now, the only reason I say to is to lessen the chance of a leaking one later on.

It's also a good idea to have the valves lapped, can do it yourself pretty easy but since you'll have it at the machine shop they can bang it out in less than an hour.

Since your going through it before installing in the frame I'd pull the rear engine cover and make sure the scavenger pump is clear and clean the starter clutch and replace the rollers and springs if needed.
Test the stator and replace if needed or has a charred look.

When you do the trans clutch inspect the rivets in the special plate, not common but they can break loose.

Oh, don't forget to clean the oil pickup screen.

There's probably other things to check out while it's out I'll think of.

 

[bk2valve]

Good stuff Dan, thanks.....I am making a list so anything you or anyone else comes up with I will add.....
I plan to replace the head gaskets while in there for sure....
Brian in NM

 

[mcgovern61]

Brian, I swapped out an '81 engine with a newer '83 engine. Here is my thread of all that I did. Hope it helps!

viewtopic.php?p=4403#p4403

 

[bk2valve]

Thanks Mr Mc! I bookmarked it and will use it for info and inspiration...wow, It looks like brand new! Great job.
Brian

 

[slabghost]

Check weak valve springs and flat spots on the cam lobes. Cams can be resurfaced by hand. :good:

 

[bk2valve]

Will do slabghost....thanks,
Brian

 

[bk2valve]

Well *****! Back where I started...looking for a good low mileage 1100 engine...
I pulled the heads and there was a lot of rust in one cylinder...there must have been a head gasket leak or something and it just sat in there and rusted the cylinder walls ,.....damn...
I did some looking and I see a few engines coming up in various places for less than I can do what needs to be done, maybe I can find one not too far away....
Oh well....best laid plans.... :swoon:

Brian in NM :laptop:

 

[dan filipi]

Well not so fast Brian.

Did the rust pit the cylinder wall?

If it did not pit then it might be ok.

 

[bk2valve]

Tomorrow I will work on it a bit and see. But I am afraid it is pitted...it is pretty heavy rust. It doesn't look promising...
But we'll see.....
Brian

 

[slabghost]

Try turning the motor to put that piston at it's lowest and you may be able to hone out the rust.

 

[mcgovern61]

Brian, too bad you are not closer....I have my high mileage '81 engine available for the taking. It is a good block and the cylinders are within spec, but my valves and springs are shot. Split the cases, swap the parts and you on the road!

 

[slabghost]

How much to freight that bugger to Ohio? 43963 zip code. I have heads.

 

[bk2valve]

Slabghost, The motor turns over ok until it hits the rust so I should be able to hone and see what develops....
Thanks Guys.....
Brian

 

[mcgovern61]

How much to freight that bugger to Ohio? 43963 zip code. I have heads.

Sadly, it costs about $276 to ship an engine. I only paid $110 for my '83 engine but I paid $276 to ship it! Its all about the weight. (But if you want to come by and get it...its yours! We are only 10 hours from Troy!)

 

[BigAndrew]

Since your going through it before installing in the frame I'd pull the rear engine cover and make sure the scavenger pump is clear and clean the starter clutch and replace the rollers and springs if needed.

Your talking about the rollers and springs in the stator rotor right? I tried to find new ones and couldn't, Do you know of any site that does?

 

[bk2valve]

OK...not good...the cylinder is very deeply pitted....I don't know how much you can bore and still find over size piston and rings...anyone know?

Is there anyway to resleeve the cyls? I haven't seen any used engines near enough to think about buying but they seem to range from about $300 to $700 for a 50k engine +- and I wonder if I do a complete rebuild what it will cost? Anyone know?

I am still fine riding my current bike for a while, I just don't want to go too far....

Brian in NM

 

[dan filipi]

As a reference I priced out a full rebuild at damn near $1,000.
That would be new pistons, rings, bearings, clutch.
Whether the parts are available or not is a big question.