Engine Is Beyond Fixing...

[scottmc]

I finally cracked the case today, and it looks like my pistons are completely ruined.

I am pretty choked, with both pistons completely gone, a ruined cam chain guide and rocker arm, this is beyond reasonable to attempt to fix.

What should I do? Sell the bike as a parts bike, or attempt to sell off pieces?

This was my first bike, I am just so upset over this.

 

[apopleptic]

what a bummer. but I wouldn't give up until some more people chime in. Maybe not as bad as it seems.
Good luck!

 

[hampshirehog]

I can't make out too much from the photos but I'm guessing the valves have kissed the pistons.

What bike is it by the way? Makes a difference to the economic choices.

 

[Guest]

That's crappy news indeed, especially after all the work you've put into her. Motor's aren't that expensive to buy if you can find one. There's lots of wreckers around Vancouver, definately worth a few phone calls or even an ad up in the classifieds. If you decide to sell her as is let me know I may be interested.

 

[Guest]

Is it just the cylinders? Get yourself a new set of jugs and keep rolling

 

[SVSooke]

It's a Canadian GS400 TSCC,sorry can't remember the year off the top of my head.The reason it's a good idea to put model info in a signature line.Finding a new motor shouldn't be that hard.

 

[Guest]

Mate you should keep an eye out for NOS parts and so forth, could be some parts sitting on a shelf somewhere with your name on it...

Listen to the other guys, all is not lost but it sure is a bummer! These babies are always fixable

 

[scottmc]

Thanks guys, I love the optimism.

I will check out some classified adds and phone a few shops to see what they think. The pistons are seriously stamped by the valves though, I thought I might have been priced out by that fact, but I will look around.

How much would be reasonable for two NOS pistons heads?

Bike 1984 Suzuki Gs(x)400.

 

[JEEPRUSTY]

You could use the cylinder bores to shave with.
A euro source might get you the pistions.

There was one cool german site I found a while ago had four complete OEM gaskets sets for my bike.

The parts are hiding somewhere.

Do you have pictures of all the damage and have you tested the valve sealing with cams out and gas?

 

[GearHead]

Looks like the valves and pistons met. I have a 77 gs400 and iirc the gs 750 pistons are the same bore size as the 400. Both engines are 65 mm bore size. Now I don't know if the compression height is the same on both pistons. ( The distance from the wrist pin centerline to the top of piston. ) It sounds like the engine can be rebuilt. Do a slow and careful tear down. Look for other damage. I would have the case magnafluxed. I see gs400 engine parts show up on ebay from time to time. Hope this helps.
Gearhead

 

[scottmc]

Hi scottmc.

You can look for part bikes or engines.

If you are patient you WILL find one or two.

I just checked Kijiji ( I am in Quebec ) and found this.

http://qc.kijiji.ca/c-autos-et-vehi...ki-Gs-400-MOTEUR-SEULEMENT-W0QQAdIdZ291057629

Loosely translated it says "1980 GS400 engine only, perfect shape".
I know it's far. But I just want to show they are available.

I could take a ride and go check that one out if you want to have it shipped.

DP

Wow, that is an incredibly generous offer!

How hard would it be for a mechanical newbie to mount a new engine like this?

If seems like a really cool option! I would love for this to work.

 

[Flyboy]

How hard would it be for a mechanical newbie to mount a new engine like this?

Phhhaa, piece of old tackie, 3 or 4 engine mount bolts, hook up the wires and pipes, and you good to go, seriously to drop that motor in is really a mornings work, no more.
Of course then you would have to do all the regular maintenance that you would do anyway, new oil and filter, new plugs etc etc..
But you really could do it without getting too much wrong, anyway, you have all the help you need right here, what more could you want.

 

[Flyboy]

Just a thought on your engine, in my experience, it is no where near beyond fixing, I would wager that new valves and a new cam chain will have you back in business, so I would not junk it.
I have yet to see a case where valves hit pistons and the pistons got destroyed, they are tough, yes they may be marked, but that is all, I would be more concerned about a bent rod, easy enough to check for, but like I said, it looks a lot worse than it is, but for $150 I would get the motor and then slowly, at your leisure rebuild yours again.
You can then either sell it at a good profit or slap it back into your bike and have a freshly built motor and sell off the one you bought again for what you paid for it, either way you win.

I bust a cam chain on one of my GS850's at about 7000rpm many years ago, I thought there would be nothing left of the motor, cost me valves, and a chain, and the bike was running two days later, not easy to kill a GS.

 

[Guest]

found this one a couple of hours away from you.


http://seattle.craigslist.org/kit/mcy/2584245082.html

 

[Guest]

found this one a couple of hours away from you.


http://seattle.craigslist.org/kit/mcy/2584245082.html

now that's a deal. You will need carb parts someday anyhoo.

 

[scottmc]

found this one a couple of hours away from you.


http://seattle.craigslist.org/kit/mcy/2584245082.html

Hmmm this is very cool. Sent him as message hoping for more info.

I would also have to get a new passport, just realized mind has expired.

 

[tatu]

I think Flyboy is right that you are likely looking at a set of valves gaskets and busted bits (rocker arm,ect) not too expensive, but more importantly is why have the pistons clattered the valves?
Has the head been skimmed?
Are the big ends in good order?
Best get to the bottom of why it happened in the first place.
It must've made a hell of a racket.

 

[scottmc]

I think Flyboy is right that you are likely looking at a set of valves gaskets and busted bits (rocker arm,ect) not too expensive, but more importantly is why have the pistons clattered the valves?
Has the head been skimmed?
Are the big ends in good order?
Best get to the bottom of why it happened in the first place.
It must've made a hell of a racket.

Looks like it was caused by either a failed tensioner, or cam chain guide.

 

[spyug]

I take it you're a UBC student so I'm guessing a)money is a concern b)time is a concern as you need the ride working for transport? If so and in consideration of your lack of wrenching knowledge, at this point, the used engine transplant might be the better approach for you.

Getting and replacing the parts might be cheaper but there may be time and delay involved in sourcing them. You may find additional damage as you tear into it so the bill could keep climbing too.

As mentioned, an engine swap is easy enough and could be done quickly. You'll have the bike back on the road and a spare engine to work on at your leisure and when funds permit.

Good luck and keep us informed.

Cheers,
spyug

 

[SVSooke]

found this one a couple of hours away from you.


http://seattle.craigslist.org/kit/mcy/2584245082.html

This is the older GS400 motor.Will not go in without some work.Actually this is what I'm looking for(just not very hard at this point).