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1982 gs550l cam timing waaaaaay off...how do I set my timing?

  • Thread starter Thread starter Defore
  • Start date Start date
D

Defore

Guest
 
Can't see your pictures while I am at work, so I can't see what you are trying to show.

Have you tried following the procedure in the manual?

It's not all that hard.

- Remove the carbs, cam chain tensioner and the ignition cover on the right end of the crank.
- Turn the crank until the T 1-4 mark shows in the little window.
- Remove the intake cam
- Remove the exhaust cam
- (This would be a GREAT time to inventory all your shims to see what you have in there)
- Put the exhaust cam back in, with the "1" mark pointing forward to the edge of the head.
- Install the cam covers (bearings) to hold the exhaust cam into place.
- Refer to your manual, count the proper number of pins between the "2" on the exhaust cam and the "3" mark on the intake cam.
- Install the cam covers to hold the intake cam into place
- Verify your pin count
- Install the cam chain tensioner
- Install the carbs
- Verify your valve clearances
- Install gasket and cylinder head cover
- Finish assembling the bike, go for a ride.

.
 
You have the cams 180* out of position. Try rotating the engine clockwise one full turn, then the cams will be pointing properly so you can check timing. My guess is the timing is fine.
 
Yes, this.

These GS motors run a "wasted spark" system. The plugs fire just before TDC on both compression and exhaust strokes. The cams turn once for TWO turns of the crank (like a 4-stroke cycle motors).

Get the cams into/near position and check the ignition timing marks. Note also there are TWO sets of marks: 1-4 and 2-3. You need to make sure you're looking at the 1-4 ones.

Nessism said:
You have the cams 180* out of position. Try rotating the engine clockwise one full turn, then the cams will be pointing properly so you can check timing. My guess is the timing is fine.
Click to expand...
 
Ok so I need to put the 1-4 at tdc mark and at that point my exhaaust cam needs to be pointing straight up?
 
And about the shims...a .0015 feeler wouldnt fit soooo yea way to tight.
 
And once you unbolt and pull the cam how do you get the cam back in the original spot...I just broke. Off 2 bolts trying to resend install the cam...
 
Was your timing off? You didn't need to remove the cams to have another look and verify. Better to look before you leap. Someone probably has those cam cap bolts you need.

Using large locking pliers can help you hold them down, though it's probably not going to get you all the way there. You'll need to tighten down the cam cap bolts evenly.
 
I have spare cam cap bolts, but getting the broken bolts out of the head can be problematic.
 
Nessism said:
You have the cams 180* out of position. Try rotating the engine clockwise one full turn, then the cams will be pointing properly so you can check timing. My guess is the timing is fine.
Click to expand...
That is what I was thinking while looking at the pics:)
 
Well before I pulled it out I looked and it was at 21 and not 20 or 19. So how much for 2 of those bolts? And do u happen to have three of those guide spacer things? I cant believe I broke off those bolts. Unfortunately I've snapped a bolt before so I know how to extract them...anyway so once I get all of this finished and fixed is it 19 or 20 Im hearing both. I know its 20 on the 1000 and 1100s but I have half that motor so it could be different?
 
20

As is pointed out in the factory service manual excerpt I attached (this is available as a PDF from BassCliff's site). I'll attach another, this time from the Clymer GS550 manual, as it is a bit clearer. This is after you set the exhaust cam, which is installed first:

Position the cam chain on the intake cam sprocket so the specified number of chain pins are positioned between arrow 2 on the exhaust camshaft and arrow 3 on the intake camshaft as shown in figure 41. The camshaft arrows on 1982 and earlier engines are 20 chain pins apart (Figure 42).
Click to expand...
Also note that many of us working on 8V 550s have found that the exhaust cam #1 arrow actually appears slightly ABOVE (but still pretty much parallel to) the plane of the head when the exhaust is in time with the crankshaft. You can try dropping it by a tooth and you will see that it is quite a bit off from parallel there.
 
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Ok I see thank you very much. As soon as I get these bolts out Ill do that. Now can I go to a near store that sells bolts like lowes and buy some bolts the same length to replace these?
 
You're welcome.

I wouldn't try to replace those bolts with anything but exact OEM match. If Nessism is offering I'd take him up on it. It's only about 4 days' 1st-class mail time CA -> FL.

As Steve pointed out, having your cams out anyway it's a nice time to catalog all your installed shims. Now you'll easily be able to see which ones can swap in where to get you in spec. You probably won't need to buy/trade more than 2 or 3.

Defore said:
Ok I see thank you very much. As soon as I get these bolts out Ill do that. Now can I go to a near store that sells bolts like lowes and buy some bolts the same length to replace these?
Click to expand...
 
The Suzuki bolts have a "9" on them so they are hardened. Equal to roughly SAE grade 8. If you can find some black allen head bolts, those are typically hardened and should be plenty strong. If you want some bolts from me, you can have them for shipping cost. Drop me a PM if you want to discuss.
 
tom203 said:
This stolen pic might help if you can see details.
Click to expand...

P1000919-1.jpg



That looks surprisingly like my motor.

In fact it also looks like my work environment in the background.

It also has slotted camshaft sprockets just like my motor.

I wonder ! ! ! !


On a serious note though, this picture has only 19 pins between the #2 and #3 marks so dont be mislead by that. You need 20 pins on your motor as explained previously. This motor has a 650 top end on a 550 bottom end so things are a bit different to standard.
 
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Suzuki_Don;1584344 That looks surprisingly like my motor. In fact it also looks like my work environment in the background. It also has slotted camshaft sprockets just like my motor. I wonder ! ! ! ! On a serious note though said:
I confess- I'm a thief! but I mean well and save any pics that look helpful.
Click to expand...
 
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