Cylinder head removal.

[Guest]

Is it possible to removed the cylinder head on a 1982 GS650G without removing the engine?

I suspect I've got a oil leak through the valve guides in the cylinders, and I want to rebuild the head. But I don't want to remove the engine.

Anyone have any experience of this?

Thinking remove the
Carbs
Cam tensioner
Plugs/cables
Head cover
Tach cable
Cam shafts
Exhausts

Lift it up and off.

Or is it possible to service the guides without removing the head?

[SocialAnomaly99]

Yes. Totally doable.

[Oliverstrother]

Thanks,

Valve guides easy to replace?

[Nessism]

Valves guides are not easy to replace. The engine shouldn't need them unless it has a bunch of miles on it. Look in your factory Suzuki service manual for specific details on how to service the engine. If you don't have a manual, basscliff offers a free download on his website.

[Oliverstrother]

About 40000 miles. Is this considered a bunch?

[Oliverstrother]

And a link to basscliffs website please (thank you).

[Maddevill]

You can have new guides put in at places like EDCO in Petaluma CA. If you need them....

[Nessism]

40k miles in nothing for a GS engine. It may need valve stem seals, but guides are unlikely.

[Tech73]

Here's Basscliff doing the top end on his GS850G for something to go by.

http://www.thegsresources.com/_forum/showthread.php?t=208563

[Nessism]

Cliff's website...http://members.dslextreme.com/users/bikecliff/

[Oliverstrother]

Ok, great info thanks. Just checking valve stem seals easier to replace?

I suppose I'm asking is it possible to replace the seals (rings?) without removing the guides. The manual is a little ambiguous.

[tkent02]

Ok, great info thanks. Just checking valve stem seals easier to replace?

Easier, not completely easy. You still have to pull the head and take the valve springs out, but the seals themselves are an easy do it yourself thing.

It is supposedly possible to do it with the head in place, not sure.
There was a thread on here a while ago from a guy who says he did it.

[Tech73]

Some people put rope in the cylinder through the spark plug hole the turn the crank to compress the rope against the head to take the valve springs off without the valve moving. Not sure I'd do that though.

[tkent02]

What I haven't figured out with this method is how to put the valve keepers back on. Pry on the frame to compress the spring using the window in a socket trick?? Also could lose a keeper or some other tiny part down into the engine.

This part does not sound easy.

[Tech73]

I've never done it but they say use a O2 socket and put grease on the keepers. Other than that I have no idea.