Valve clearances setting head scratcher

gatsby · Aug 1, 2020

Hi,

I installed my head on my 850, and I can see push rods are seated in rocker arms. I set left side valve clearances with no issues. I am not able to get a feeler gage under the tappets on the right side, no matter how much I loosen them.

Any ideas?

Thanks,

Gatsby

click · Aug 1, 2020

Not an expert by any means but has the bottom of the push rod seated correctly. One of my many times!! replacing the head on my 850, I kicked it over to hear a loud click/clunk which was the push rod slipping into the bottom guide. It must have just been resting on the edge of the guide/cup.

gatsby · Aug 1, 2020

I am thinking you may be correct. Time to pull that head back off. Thanks!

click · Aug 1, 2020

You might be able to loosen the head bolts & see if you can gently persuade the push rod to drop into place, if that is what the issue is. It's difficult to see but you can eyeball the pushrods & maybe see if one of them is at a strange angle?

Before you do this have you completely backed off the pushrod adjuster, you can completely remove it so you get as much clearance as possilbly, this might allow the pushrod to drop into place?

I'm very much an amateur mechanic so take anything I say with a pinch of salt, hopefully a more experienced Norten'eer will jump in with advice

but these are the things I would try before removing the head.

drp · Aug 1, 2020

Are you sure you didn't switch the push rods, one is shorter than the other. I usually mark either the intakes or exhausts so I can be sure I didn't switch them.

MichaelB · Aug 1, 2020

Not to be obvious but are you rotating the engine to set the other side?

dave M · Aug 1, 2020

dont take the head off just yet. push the affected valve open with a large screwdriver to see whether the push rod seating is at fault and can be adjusted. if you had put the wrong (too long) push rod in place then one other would also be wrong and you wouldnt be able to set the clearance on that one either.

gatsby · Aug 17, 2020

click said:
You might be able to loosen the head bolts & see if you can gently persuade the push rod to drop into place, if that is what the issue is. It's difficult to see but you can eyeball the pushrods & maybe see if one of them is at a strange angle?

Before you do this have you completely backed off the pushrod adjuster, you can completely remove it so you get as much clearance as possilbly, this might allow the pushrod to drop into place?

I'm very much an amateur mechanic so take anything I say with a pinch of salt, hopefully a more experienced Norten'eer will jump in with advice but these are the things I would try before removing the head.

Winner winner chicken dinner!
One pesky push rod was not seated properly.
Thanks for all replies!
Gatsby

Valve clearances setting head scratcher

gatsby

click

gatsby

click

drp

MichaelB

"Sons of Arthritus"

dave M

gatsby

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