Getting an old rebuild running again

[gearhead13]

So, I picked up an 82 1100ez that has been sitting for 24 years. Before it sat, the owner states that it was rebuilt. I was never run after the rebuild. He lost interest.
The owner said he didnt know if new valve seals were installed, although a valve-lap was done. So, I am wondering about the condition of the seals, gaskets etc. And also the quality of the rebuild. I pulled the plugs and looked inside and saw clean piston tops, so I squirted a bit of oil in each cyl and turned it over a few times to lubricate the rings and cyl walls, then did a compression test. I got 120 psi on all 4. On a never run, cold rebuilt 1100. Sounds decent to me, any thoughts?
It has a copper head gasket, owner states that it was re-anealed?? by heating it up with a torch and reinstalled. hmm, old school stuff. Anybody know about copper head gaskets? Are they any good reinstalled like that?
There were no carbs installed during the compressions test

 

[Nessism]

Yea, the gasket can be anealed like that but it's still risky to reuse the gasket.

 

[67fire]

When I bought a rebuilt engine that sat for a few years, the first thing that I did was take it apart.
I had to be certain that: the rings were free, cylinder hone was correct, piston cir-clips were tight,
pins were free, valves,springs, retainers and seals were in good condition, etc.
A top-end gasket kit and a little work later, it was good to go!

Why risk a problem later???

Eric

 

[gearhead13]

When I bought a rebuilt engine that sat for a few years, the first thing that I did was take it apart.
I had to be certain that: the rings were free, cylinder hone was correct, piston cir-clips were tight,
pins were free, valves,springs, retainers and seals were in good condition, etc.
A top-end gasket kit and a little work later, it was good to go!

Why risk a problem later???

Eric

Oh, ya, the top end is coming apart for sure, debating whether to split the cases as well, compression test mostly to see how well the valve lap job was done. Its winter and a high temp of 5C during the day here so I have plenty of time
I might as well split the cases, there arent that many seals there, and no plain bearings to worry about
IF I had the money I would get a wiseco kit for it, but I think this will be plenty of an upgrade for me til next winter.
(I think to my self out loud a lot in my threads I think it confuses some people)

 

[67fire]

Are you putting that engine into the '82 750 frame?
I resemble that idea.

Eric

 

[Guest]

Copper head gaskets can be reused. I'm going copper on base and head gaskets for the 1230 kit.
120 psi on the cylinders cold is great. I'd rig an ignition and gas and start that baby up!
You may be suprised. I started an engine that sat outside for at least five years and it is quite the runner with no smoke at all.

 

[gearhead13]

Copper head gaskets can be reused. I'm going copper on base and head gaskets for the 1230 kit.
120 psi on the cylinders cold is great. I'd rig an ignition and gas and start that baby up!
You may be suprised. I started an engine that sat outside for at least five years and it is quite the runner with no smoke at all.

Oh man, that is Soooo tempting, I really want to hear it run I have the carbs, coils and pickup are there, even the igniter, but no exhaust The po had the stock pipes minus the mufflers that I forgot to grab. This one sat in the basement for 24 years so hardly any rust, decent find me thinks, I guess I can actually be lucky sometimes
AFAIK the guy never even put oil in it. All that work and never ran it, never even rode it he said

 

[Guest]

Don't we all have a friend with a pipe hanging in their garage?

 

[posplayr]

rebuilt motor sitting for 24 years, why even do a compression test? That thing needs to be run

 

[LuckyC]

Pipes?

Pipes?

Don't we all have a friend with a pipe hanging in their garage?

Mr Gearhead - Im up the Pat Bay Hwy - and have pipes - PM sent

 

[Big T]

Fire that thing up!

Then you'll have all winter to see if any seals are bad and need to be replaced

 

[posplayr]

Then you'll have all winter to see "IF" any seals are bad and need to be replaced

Watta ya mean "IF" ?

 

[gearhead13]

Both side covers and the top end are coming apart, I dont really want to split the cases though. The po painted the side covers black (stator and clutch cover) that just wont do, have to be stripped and polished, and I want to check out the clutch plates and put in some ebc springs. The thing shifts nice and there are no plain bearings to worry about so what else besides maybe a dried out seal? Could be replaced without splitting it....
The po also said it had a factory welded crank. Would I be able to confirm this with the clutch cover off?

 

[posplayr]

Both side covers and the top end are coming apart, I dont really want to split the cases though. The po painted the side covers black (stator and clutch cover) that just wont do, have to be stripped and polished, and I want to check out the clutch plates and put in some ebc springs. The thing shifts nice and there are no plain bearings to worry about so what else besides maybe a dried out seal? Could be replaced without splitting it....
The po also said it had a factory welded crank. Would I be able to confirm this with the clutch cover off?

You are supposed to be able to see the welds with the clutch cover off.

I have never been through my bottom end even though the top has been off twice.

Other than the exteral covers, leaks can come from case bolts. The once above the oil filter cover and on either side of the cignition covber. Pull them out and seal with black oil resistant RTV.

The 82-83 1100E's seem to be know for smooth shifting (ask me how I know)

 

[jetta90]

Dear Mr. gearhead13, from one British Columbian to another................you need to start that baby up. I would even be tempted to just ride it as is and see what it does.
Besides, you good folks in Victoria don't get much snow during the winter.......... you could ride almost year round if you'd like. Start it up and see what it does, then watch for a decent day weather wise and get a 1 day temporary license from ICBC (government insurance people for those not living in BC) and put some kilometers on it. Go from there.
Just my thoughts.

 

[gearhead13]

Dear Mr. gearhead13, from one British Columbian to another................you need to start that baby up. I would even be tempted to just ride it as is and see what it does.
Besides, you good folks in Victoria don't get much snow during the winter.......... you could ride almost year round if you'd like. Start it up and see what it does, then watch for a decent day weather wise and get a 1 day temporary license from ICBC (government insurance people for those not living in BC) and put some kilometers on it. Go from there.
Just my thoughts.

Yes I did ride all year round for about 4 years, but now I have access to a 4 wheel cage with heat LOL. I REALLY miss my bike and if it ever stops raining I will give the girl a run. The 1100 isnt all together, just a frame with tires and an engine. So, to try it out it would have to be installed in my 750 which is insured until June. So, I figure if i am taking the engine out it might as well be gone over then installed in the 750 frame.
I just havent figured out what to do with the 750 now Its a real nice engine, maybe a real raunchy go-cart
Seriously, anyone interested in the 750 engine, pm me.
Oh, BTW what part of BC do you reside, Jetta90?

 

[gearhead13]

Pulled the engine apart today, some kind of nasty red sealer used, smells like red loctite
I wonder if the bores could use more of a hone:
its the dark areas at the top of the bore i am wondering about

 

[gearhead13]

What causes the inperfections in the combustion chambers, just casting flaws or overheating/pinging??
The head was surfaced, hard to tell how much was taken off, but the surface feels 'notchy' when you run your fingernail across it.

 

[posplayr]

What causes the inperfections in the combustion chambers, just casting flaws or overheating/pinging??
The head was surfaced, hard to tell how much was taken off, but the surface feels 'notchy' when you run your fingernail across it.

U need some much better close ups of those combustion chambers. That end one looks pretty ratty infact cracked but I'm sure there is not enough resolution to tell.

Also look out for cracks between the valve seats and spark plug hole.

I will not know but some one else will.

 

[67fire]

The outer chamber of those two, had something bouncing around in it at one time.
Perhaps the reason for the "re-build" in the first place.
I would hone the cylinders and check your ring gaps.
The cylinder head might be repairable.

Eric