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General Category => FJ Project Writeups => Topic started by: aviationfred on March 07, 2020, 12:40:05 PM

Title: Head replacement/smokey start up cure
Post by: aviationfred on March 07, 2020, 12:40:05 PM
My 95 has a severe smokey cold start. I know that others have replaced the valve stem seals with the engine still in the frame. I wanted to add a little bit of performance with the addition of oversize valves. I purchased a complete head on eBay and had it sent to RPM for a rebuild with heavy duty valve springs, all new seals and a set off Abuso valves.




Fred
Title: Re: Head replacement/smokey start up cure
Post by: Pat Conlon on March 07, 2020, 03:44:37 PM
Good for you Fred! :good:

I wondered why on FB you had your engine out.

On your old head, how do the valves and seats look?
If they are ok, it sounds like all you need on your old head is to lap the valves, new Viton valve seals and fresh aftermarket springs.

Sell it and recoup some of your money.
Title: Re: Head replacement/smokey start up cure
Post by: aviationfred on March 11, 2020, 07:41:33 PM
Making progress with the head swap. The new head is on.... waiting for more parts.



Fred
Title: Re: Head replacement/smokey start up cure
Post by: Bones on March 12, 2020, 01:17:03 AM
Have you ever greased your front engine mounts Fred, if not now would be the ideal time.
Title: Re: Head replacement/smokey start up cure
Post by: aviationfred on March 12, 2020, 01:43:01 AM
Quote from: Bones on March 12, 2020, 01:17:03 AM
Have you ever greased your front engine mounts Fred, if not now would be the ideal time.


I have owned the bike for a bit over 2 years. I pulled the mounts on Sunday and greased them. I will be installing Zerk fittings in the mounts.


Fred
Title: Re: Head replacement/smokey start up cure
Post by: ribbert on March 12, 2020, 09:13:51 AM
[
Title: Re: Head replacement/smokey start up cure
Post by: fj1289 on March 12, 2020, 06:30:42 PM
Fred, you are hereby awarded the Modifiers Anonymous "If It's Worth Doing, It's Worth Overdoing!" badge! 

:drinks:
Title: Re: Head replacement/smokey start up cure
Post by: aviationfred on March 12, 2020, 08:42:41 PM
Quote from: fj1289 on March 12, 2020, 06:30:42 PM
Fred, you are hereby awarded the Modifiers Anonymous "If It's Worth Doing, It's Worth Overdoing!" badge! 

:drinks:

But the fresh head does look so nice.. :yahoo:


Fred
Title: Re: Head replacement/smokey start up cure
Post by: aviationfred on March 13, 2020, 05:28:46 PM
Grease Zerks installed.  :yahoo:


Fred
Title: Re: Head replacement/smokey start up cure
Post by: Pat Conlon on March 13, 2020, 05:47:30 PM
Now, chuck those bushings in your lathe and cut in a shallow grease channel so your grease will flow from the zerk all the way around the bushing.

Looking good Fred!
Title: Re: Head replacement/smokey start up cure
Post by: aviationfred on March 13, 2020, 05:56:19 PM
Quote from: Pat Conlon on March 13, 2020, 05:47:30 PM
Now, chuck those bushings in your lathe and cut in a shallow grease channel so your grease will flow from the zerk all the way around the bushing.

Looking good Fred!

The Bronze bushings already have a 3/4"-1" wide groove machined in them. I loaded the grooves up with grease before I pushed the pins in and then used a grease gun until grease came out of the ends.


Fred
Title: Re: Head replacement/smokey start up cure
Post by: andyoutandabout on March 13, 2020, 08:32:12 PM
Oooh what a lovely looking head.
Title: Re: Head replacement/smokey start up cure
Post by: andyoutandabout on March 13, 2020, 08:33:53 PM
See there, I spared you the nipple gag. Or did I?
Title: Re: Head replacement/smokey start up cure
Post by: aviationfred on March 14, 2020, 11:12:05 AM
I had some assistance last night putting the cams in and getting the timing set. My friend Anne Marie came over. She is a grade school teacher and is fascinated with the internal workings of motorcycle engines. I explained everything as we progressed and she even got her hands dirty. In the photo, she is applying assembly lube on the intake cam. The timing is all set, just have to button up the engine and get it back in the frame.

She also rides here own motorcycle. A Pearl White 2006 Honda VFR800. She also is a long distance rider. 2 years ago, she did a mostly solo ride on the VFR to Alaska.


Fred
Title: Re: Head replacement/smokey start up cure
Post by: Pat Conlon on March 14, 2020, 05:14:49 PM
Good on ya mate! A bonnie lass she be....
Title: Re: Head replacement/smokey start up cure
Post by: CutterBill on March 14, 2020, 07:08:33 PM
She rode her VFR to Alaska? From Kansas?  I'm impressed...  :good2:
Bill
Title: Re: Head replacement/smokey start up cure
Post by: aviationfred on March 14, 2020, 09:59:17 PM
Quote from: CutterBill on March 14, 2020, 07:08:33 PM
She rode her VFR to Alaska? From Kansas?  I'm impressed...  :good2:
Bill

Not only did she ride from Kansas to Alaska and back, she got way into Alaska.



Fred
Title: Re: Head replacement/smokey start up cure
Post by: aviationfred on March 16, 2020, 08:04:03 PM
Back to the engine work. I thought I had everything together and the timing set. WRONG..... the cam chain was not engaged on the crankshaft sprocket...... pulled the cams and got the chain situated correctly and rest the timing. All is good now.

The starter motor looked like crap... effects of fire extinguisher residue.... pulled the starter apart for brush inspection and cleaning. Looks much better now.


Fred
Title: Re: Head replacement/smokey start up cure
Post by: Pat Conlon on March 16, 2020, 08:18:43 PM
Quote from: aviationfred on March 16, 2020, 08:04:03 PM
Back to the engine work. I thought I had everything together and the timing set. WRONG..... the cam chain was not engaged on the crankshaft sprocket......

Totally Understandable, you were obviously distracted.... :empathy3:
Title: Re: Head replacement/smokey start up cure
Post by: TexasDave on March 16, 2020, 08:50:39 PM
Back to the engine work? To heck with the engine work. We want more pics of the good looking lady biker!    :mad:
Title: Re: Head replacement/smokey start up cure
Post by: aviationfred on March 19, 2020, 07:56:52 PM
Got out for a little ride and finished the engine, I have a friend who is a welder coming over tomorrow afternoon to repair the broken turn signal tab on the subframe that is often caused by the GIVI Wingrack.


Fred
Title: Re: Head replacement/smokey start up cure
Post by: aviationfred on March 27, 2020, 09:16:27 PM
The FJ lives..... Hopefully I will have the bike buttoned up tomorrow and a shakedown ride on Sunday.

Video of first start up
https://youtu.be/f2OFxVC0WMM

I also found out that the forward motor mount spacer tube has been missing the whole time that I have owned the bike. Thanks to a fellow forum member. I was able to get one.

We had an Italian visitor at the garage for a clutch upgrade.



Fred
Title: Re: Head replacement/smokey start up cure
Post by: aviationfred on April 01, 2020, 08:44:36 PM
Wheat Fields, Wind Generators and Cows.

Did a 206 mile shakedown ride on the freshly rebuilt head. Absolutely incredibly vibration free at the handlebars. Ran a bit rich and made a 1/2 needle clip adjustment once we got back.

Short video
https://youtu.be/E3CoUSeEieQ

For those that commented on my worn hand grips at the RPM Rally last fall. When riding in Kansas with 20-30 mile an hour cross winds, you need to hang on. We had a stretch that I was counter steering just to ride straight.


Fred
Title: Re: Head replacement/smokey start up cure
Post by: Sparky84 on April 03, 2020, 10:59:00 PM
Quote from: aviationfred on April 01, 2020, 08:44:36 PM
Wheat Fields, Wind Generators and Cows.

Did a 206 mile shakedown ride on the freshly rebuilt head. Absolutely incredibly vibration free at the handlebars. Ran a bit rich and made a 1/2 needle clip adjustment once we got back.

Fred
Fred,
Just wondering what performance enhancements have you got with the oversize valves?
I'm assuming the clean head minus carbon build up would have been a good start anyway.

More power/torque?
Fuel economy, better or worse

Thinking of How much better would an FJ feel after just a head job.

Btw, those wind generators still freak me out  :boredom:

Cheers
Alan
Title: Re: Head replacement/smokey start up cure
Post by: Troyskie on April 03, 2020, 11:52:16 PM
Quote from: Sparky84 on April 03, 2020, 10:59:00 PM

Thinking of How much better would an FJ feel after just a head job.

EVERYTHING EVERYTHING EVERYTHING EVERYTHING EVERYTHING EVERYTHING EVERYTHING EVERYTHING EVERYTHING EVERYTHING EVERYTHING
[/b]
EVERYTHING feels better after a head job....
Title: Re: Head replacement/smokey start up cure
Post by: Sparky84 on April 04, 2020, 01:09:30 AM
Quote from: Troyskie on April 03, 2020, 11:52:16 PM
Quote from: Sparky84 on April 03, 2020, 10:59:00 PM

Thinking of How much better would an FJ feel after just a head job.

EVERYTHING EVERYTHING EVERYTHING EVERYTHING EVERYTHING EVERYTHING EVERYTHING EVERYTHING EVERYTHING EVERYTHING EVERYTHING
[/b]
EVERYTHING feels better after a head job....
I did mean the FJ, Troy  :crazy: