Piston ring change

*zfrilly2* · 05-16-2007, 8:52 PM

As long as the cylinders aren't too scored it may be ok. Carefully examine everything, you no how much trouble it was to get it apart do you want to do it again. It may be best to hone it and get new slightly oversized rings and gap the rings to the hone. The old rings were somewhat "mated" to the cylinder. You can probably get in honed at a small engine shop very cheap, or if there is a regular machine shop in the area they can do it as well. The dealer will probably send it to someone as not many do it themselves. While you are in the engine check over the gears. Make sure they are not broken or worn, check the shift dogs as well. Are you putting this back into the bike,I see it says enigine under your bikes?

*Quick 26* · 05-17-2007, 7:24 AM

wait before you go throwing a hone through that engine, make sure you call the dealership and find out if the cylinder has a coating inside them. if they are coated you dont hone it, just wipe it out INSTALL NEW RINGS and go. as far as the lube on the bolts, some companies us an anti siese type fluid on the bolts due to the heat and alumnium. your ring gaps should be evenly staggered. as for them lining up, the are most likely worn out. you can take your old rings and insert them in the cylinder and check the gap in them with a feeler guage.

scuba14c · 05-17-2007, 10:16 AM

The gears look like they haven't even been touched. I can't see any damage at all to the shift forks either. This engine is actually gonig to be used in an offroad buggy project.

I was thinking it might be anti sieze of some sort, I was just surprised that it was pressurized. Would a feeler gauge be available locally?

*Quick 26* · 05-17-2007, 10:37 AM

yeah any auto store should sell them or wal mart might have them. i would not reuse the rings anyway, it is just a was to see how much they are worn. for the new ones if you get them from honda should be replace and go

scuba14c · 05-17-2007, 1:27 PM

I was looking at bikebandit.com for replacement parts. Are they reputable and a good deal, or should I find someplace else?

*Quick 26* · 05-17-2007, 1:28 PM

from what i hear they are

scuba14c · 05-19-2007, 12:36 PM

I've got another small problem. I'm trying to take off the head gaskets, and the gasket scraper I've got is scratching the head. Is there a way to remove these without using a tool (like chemicals)?

*zfrilly2* · 05-19-2007, 12:48 PM

A die grinder with a 3m scotchbrite pad, but that is a tool. Also try just a razor blade, be carefull it will nick but is still easy.

*sinfuldragon* · 05-19-2007, 3:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by scuba14c

I was looking at bikebandit.com for replacement parts. Are they reputable and a good deal, or should I find someplace else?

I have used them, they were good to deal with.

Quote:

Originally Posted by scuba14c

I've got another small problem. I'm trying to take off the head gaskets, and the gasket scraper I've got is scratching the head. Is there a way to remove these without using a tool (like chemicals)?

You just need to take it easy with the scraper.

*Quick 26* · 05-21-2007, 8:00 AM

i usually use a razorblade and a bit of lube to sorten up the gasket

scuba14c · 05-21-2007, 8:41 AM

Now that I've got the pistons out, which ring set do I want?

bikebandit.com
ronniesmailorder.com

*zfrilly2* · 05-21-2007, 9:41 AM

Measure the cyclinder, se what ring sets are availale, if you hone the cylinders you will probably need to get a ring set a few thousandths larger and file fit the rings.

*Quick 26* · 05-21-2007, 9:56 AM

whatever you get make sure they fit in the grooves on the pistons. if you are able to get over sized rings and file fit like z said

scuba14c · 05-21-2007, 1:43 PM

I think the cylinders look ok. They shouldn't need to be honed. Would I just get the standard ring size, or the os .25? How do I find out if they fit on the cylinders?

*Quick 26* · 05-21-2007, 1:46 PM

you would have to insert them and use a feeler guage to make sure the end gap is in spec. it sounds to me like you should just go for the std replacements if you dont have feeler guages or somone who can show you how to file fit the rings

scuba14c · 05-22-2007, 11:37 AM

Ok, sounds good. Should be ordered today or tomorrow.

*Fastrr* · 05-22-2007, 10:03 PM

.25mm oversize is .010" inch ( ten-thousandths). That is more than a few (.003") oversize. I'm curious to know how it works out.

The white stuff in the bolt holes could be a mixture of engine oil and coolant.. it turns white-light brown when mixed in a blender like atmosphere of an engine. This is what happens when a head gasket "blows", leaks. Oil and water meet and yes they do mix reguardless of what we've been told. I've rebuilt about 7 automobile engines and changed heads on a few others.

Read your manual about cylinder head reassembly. You may need to apply a thread sealant on some or all of the head bolts. many times engine head bolts pertrude into the water jacket ( wet cooling part of the engine). I'm not certain if your VFR is this way or not. If it is and you just screw the head bolts back in without sealant on them.... you will mess up your engine.

Also if you obviously need a new head gasket. Make sure you don't install it upside down. seriously.

Do you have a torque wrench for reassembly of the engine?

Did you end up buying this Motion Pro clutch tool?

Next time you need to buy Honda parts try Service Honda Home of the CR500AF 500AF 500AFX Junior-X - Honda Motorcycle Parts they are less than bikebandit. I have ordered from ServiceHonda a few times. Also RonAyers.com has oem Honda parts but if you live on the western part of the US don't use them.. they ship slow to the west, because they are in North Carolina.

*Fastrr* · 05-22-2007, 10:09 PM

I'd love to build a formula style race car using a 1000cc sportbike engine

Some day!

scuba14c · 05-23-2007, 9:38 AM

This is the puller I got

Motion Pro Products - FLYWHEEL PULLER, M22X1.5 R.H. External Thread

It was just for the alternator cover. I do have a torque wrench as well. And you may be right about the white stuff. It smelled like bad oil, but I don't see how it could have gotten into the bolt holes and become pressurized.

I used Babbitts Online for the rings. They were $7 a piece under everyone else, though their shipping was a little high.

Arctic Cat, Polaris,Suzuki,Kawasaki,Sea-doo,Can-Am dealer west Michigan Muskegon lowest prices

This isn't quite a formula car. It's a scaled down sand rail that I'm goiong to use up in Houghton MI (where the college is) to fly down the logging trails and over the stamp sands.

scuba14c · 05-23-2007, 4:44 PM

How clean does the head gasket surface need to be? Should it have a lot of garbage on it but be smooth, or should I only see aluminum?

*sinfuldragon* · 05-23-2007, 4:48 PM

aluminum only.

scuba14c · 05-23-2007, 5:21 PM

So I should be using a polishing wheel and taking all the garbage off? I don't actually want to start taking the metal off the head.

*zfrilly2* · 05-23-2007, 5:22 PM

Use a scotchbrite pad to remove anything a razor wouldn't get off.

*Fastrr* · 05-23-2007, 8:30 PM

Don't get carried away with cleaning the head and cylinder surface. If it's a brownish color that is ok, just remove anything you can feel with your fingers, even if it is very slight. Remove too much material and you're going to run into an issue with the head gasket not sealing.

You would be amazed at how water and oil can work their way around bolt threads.

*Quick 26* · 05-24-2007, 7:26 AM

disscoloration is fine, but actuall material is not. like they said use scotch brite to remove the remainder

*Fastrr* · 05-24-2007, 8:31 PM

I agree he does need to remove all the gasket and oil debri from the surfaces. I kind of disagree with using scotchbrite however. Only because i use it almost every day at the machine shop to deburr parts, it breaks down into fine particles that can harm the inner workings of an engine.

I use a lint free rag, acetone, and a scraper. acetone will soften anything stuck on the surface so it is much easier to wipe or scrape off the gasket stuff.

Not "dissin' " on you Quick26

*zfrilly2* · 05-24-2007, 8:34 PM

Thats why you wash the engine block with a mild solution of soap and water before assembly, to remove any gasket material, or debris left behind.

*Quick 26* · 05-25-2007, 6:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fastrr

I agree he does need to remove all the gasket and oil debri from the surfaces. I kind of disagree with using scotchbrite however. Only because i use it almost every day at the machine shop to deburr parts, it breaks down into fine particles that can harm the inner workings of an engine.

I use a lint free rag, acetone, and a scraper. acetone will soften anything stuck on the surface so it is much easier to wipe or scrape off the gasket stuff.

Not "dissin' " on you Quick26

you calling me an idiot

i understand, no offinse taken

usually if i have to resort to scotch brite i am using a pnumatic one and i have the cyl and head where i can thoroughly clean them to remove loose particles. sometimes i will aquire lint free cloths to use at home

scuba14c · 05-25-2007, 10:48 AM

I used scothbrite and it cleaned up pretty well. I hosed it down after cleaning, so it should have gotten everything off. I don't have a lot of spare cash, and gaskets aren't exactly cheap. Could I use a gasket sealer to replace the gaskets in the engine (with the exception of the head gaskets)? I would mainly be the left and right side covers, along with the countershaft cover.