GS850 Cam Followers/Tappet Bucket Won?t Install

[Guest]

This is driving me nuts! I had the head on my ?82 GS850 reconditioned. The shop reseated all the valves, put in new seals, planed the gasket surfaces and returned the head to me with the springs and all set. I?m trying to install the cam followers/tappet bucket/valve spring bucket, whatever you want to call it, and they will not go in the guides. As of now, I have 3 of the 8 installed and probably spent 3 hrs getting those in. I tried freezing them in the freezer and even went and got some dry ice to try to get them as cold as possible. The ones that went in were warm by they time they actually went. I oiled them and greased them to try and help but nothing is working. What should I do?

 

[Burque73]

Maybe put the head in the oven for a bit then try again before it cools?

 

[Rijko]

That may not the best idea ...
if they don't fit at room temp you may never
get them out when fitted hot and they
stick.
The buckets came off this head so
will go back in.
Oil the outside of the bucket lightly
and twist-push the bucket in, aligning
the bucket with the bore.
If that does not work, check if the valve
and springs are not obstructing the
bucket going in.

If they are, they are not seated right.
Re-install valve and try again.

 

[Guest]

That may not the best idea ...
if they don't fit cold you may never
get them out when fitted hot and they
stick.
The buckets came off this head so
will go back in.
Oil the outside of the bucket lightly
and twist-push the bucket in, aligning
the bucket with the bore.
If that does not work, check if the valve
and springs are not obstructing the
bucket going in.

If they are, they are not seated right.
Re-install valve and try again.

I?m starting to think the valve springs aren?t centered. How can I fix this?

 

[Rijko]

Is it an option to go back to the shop
and show them the issue ?
With the right tool at hand they will
re-install the valves properly and put on
the buckets in minutes.

 

[Guest]

Is it an option to go back to the shop
and show them the issue ?
With the right tool at hand they will
re-install the valves properly and put on
the buckets in minutes.

I?ll have to pull the head off the bike again but this sounds like a good option. Pretty sure something the shop did is causing the issue.

 

[Rijko]

When installed you should be able to rotate
the buckets with your fingers.
If not, and they are oiled, something is not ok.
I would verify that on the buckets you installed.

 

[Guest]

There is a VERY small clearance between the buckets and the head,
the buckets have to be PERFECTLY aligned to get them in place.

 

[GregT]

As others have said. alignment is key to reinstalling them.
It is possible for the outer valve springs to be slightly out of position on the retainers. I have seen this prevent the buckets re- entering.
What can be done - if you can see down well enough - is ease the spring(s) into a more central position. A small flat blade screwdriver can be used for this but take care not to mark the follower bores.
This is why when reconning a head, I do the clearances on the bench before putting it back on. Do it long enough, you eventually learn....

 

[uk gs nut]

Maybe the workshop that did the head burred the follower bore with the valve spring compressor ?. Just a thought.