82 GS400 8 valve, poor running/excessive blow by

[Guest]

The head gasket is the same as the 450, at least the part numbers have superseded into the same part number for both the 400 and 450.

The bike isn't in amazing condition, but it's all there and I've had it a few years now. It really fell into my lap but I've grown attached, and would like to save it if at all possible. So far I've only bought intake boots ($40 new) a nicer front fender and the plastic thing between the gauges with the warning lights again for a total of about $30.

Here's some pictures, they aren't recent. I was on this board a couple years ago, maybe it will be remembered. Someone sent me some side covers, a brake plate and a lever but now for the life of me I can't remember who...

 

[Guest]

I've got a line on a 450 engine, it's 4 hours away, but complete for $250 isn't bad. Just trying to find the time to head up there...

 

[Guest]

The head gasket is the same as the 450, at least the part numbers have superseded into the same part number for both the 400 and 450.

The bike isn't in amazing condition, but it's all there and I've had it a few years now. It really fell into my lap but I've grown attached, and would like to save it if at all possible. So far I've only bought intake boots ($40 new) a nicer front fender and the plastic thing between the gauges with the warning lights again for a total of about $30.

Here's some pictures, they aren't recent. I was on this board a couple years ago, maybe it will be remembered. Someone sent me some side covers, a brake plate and a lever but now for the life of me I can't remember who...View attachment 58580

The head gaskets for the two valve 400 [77-79], the 8 valve, and the 450 are all different and do not interchange, BUT, you could perhaps make a 450 gasket fit a GSX although the fire ring design is not even similar.

The side covers, etc., came from me.

 

[Guest]

I've got a line on a 450 engine, it's 4 hours away, but complete for $250 isn't bad. Just trying to find the time to head up there...

Where's 'up there'? PM me if it's anywhere around here. And complete for $250 is quite reasonable. The GSX carbs you have are quite different and IMO way better than the EPA ones on the 450s. The jetting's good but the needles will need to go up one notch. The intake boots are different, unfortunately, but I think I still have some old but not yet dead ones. Otherwise, it's plug and play and the airbox lines right up.

 

[Guest]

I thought so!
It's in Comox, so there's ferry fees too but still worth it (makes a nice day trip). Heading up that way tomorrow.

 

[Gorminrider]

Too late, maybe but if you read this while you're in Comox, there's a 450 in Jack's parts place on Ryan Road east end toward the Air Base... back in the yard...if you need carbs or just the jets and such , or even engine bits, they might still be there.

 

[Guest]

I called Jack's yesterday, that's where I'm headed. He said he still had the engine

 

[Gorminrider]

haha! I was just going to PM you in case your email might notify you on the road......it's been sitting out in the yard awhile but that shouldn't matter too much.

 

[Guest]

Well I'd say my trip Jack's was a success. Now to enjoy the rest of my day on the island

 

[Guest]

So I've got the engine bolted in, trying to fit my tach cable and it just won't go it.are the tach cables different between the 400 and the 450?

 

[Guest]

So I've got the engine bolted in, trying to fit my tach cable and it just won't go it.are the tach cables different between the 400 and the 450?

Not that I recall. They're all a square peg in a square hole, so taking the cable off the tach and turning the inner while you shove it in may help. The big difference is that the 4 valve has the tach in the cover above the cam and the 450 is below; both have their quirks. The hole may be plugged with crud from falling over in the dirt.

Looks like that motor got seriously drooled on by a leaking petcock, but you'll have all winter to polish it up. Usually the valves will have tightened up and It Would be Advised to get the valve cover off and check the clearances before you go too far too fast. GS500 shims are identical and the zip tie method of swapping them is just so cool. There are two types of 450 valve covers with different gaskets so make sure you buy the right [later?] one.

When you discover a [probable] mid range surge, pull the carb slides out and juggle the circlip and two plastic spacers to move the needle up. I measure the projection [about 36mm] of the needle Before pulling the clips so you have a reference point and I think one whole clip slot is 2mm but you can juggle things to just go up one mm at a time. I think the 450 just sucks the slides up sooner than the 400 which makes sense. The 400 carbs will work fine on the 450 with just a needle adjustment and the mixture screws about 2 turns and a bit out.