Oil Passage Plugs

[TezzerTel]

Is there any reason why I should not remove the oil passage plugs (the one that look like the tappet cover plugs) from my lower case?

[Sesman]

I guess that depends on your intentions? If you are doing a total engine strip, then I’d recommend removal in order to inspect and clean the gallery. Having said that, there is no reason not to remove them at any time to inspect and clean, but if it ain’t broke, why fix it?

If you weren’t already aware, the oil gallery runs laterally to the alternator housing, where a ‘bung’ is held in place by the alternator cover. Replacement Oil seals are readily available from all the popular sources, including industrial oil seal suppliers if you know the size😉

[McCabe-Thiele (Ted)]

The trick to removing the one on the alternator side is to Remove the RHS one first then use a long rod to push out the alternator side. Stops you cheering up the end trying to pull it out.

[TezzerTel]

Yes it's a full strip and rebuild and I've had the cases blasted so I'm keen to make sure it's super clean

[Sesman]

Out of interest, what is your cleaning strategy?

[TezzerTel]

At the moment it's a good flush in the parts washer (with heated solution) and compressed air. I'll also probably give it a flush through with acetone and blow that through with air too.

On the plugs I can't shift them so far. If I can source a new one I may consider drilling it out

[Sesman]

Good man. I’d also suggest a thorough drying before injecting brake cleaner through all  passage ways several times. As you are probably aware, blast media has a propensity to congeal/ compact and I’ve found in the past that thorough dying and agitation using brushes and pipe cleaners to be helpful before applying more brake cleaner and compressed air. I’d also suggest paying particular attention to any threaded holes, trying to avoid the temptation to “ run a tap “ through them. I’m sure you will be on to all this, but just thought I’d mention it JIC.

[TezzerTel]

Any help and advice is much appreciated. This is the first bike I've stripped and tried to rebuild. When they were blasted non was forced into any of the passage ways it's just what has fallen in there.

[K2-K6]

If you've a wallpaper steam stripper, you can make a "wand" out of brake pipe or similar, to poke down into oil ways and dissolve sticky residual stuff.

Chemical analytical lab uses steam to clean all the glassware effectively. Removing tary deposits etc.

Don't forget to fully clean the external flow routes through fins around cylinder head above combustion chamber areas. Unsure how extensive on smaller types , but 750 has them intricately.

[McCabe-Thiele (Ted)]

I like that idea Nigel, a steam wand.👍

[TezzerTel]

It's not steam but I've had the parts washer up to 75°C. I use one of these to heat it
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/405318475167?_skw=405318475167&itmmeta=01JD50YDA8GTREQ6SEXH6CB6T4&hash=item5e5edd1d9f:g:LtsAAOSw2qNnIy1C&itmprp=enc%3AAQAJAAAA8HoV3kP08IDx%2BKZ9MfhVJKljTKG%2BCpKbkPEnMJ4p2gZFJRnPAu7FlejM11GHXr%2BcSNMuIgMrKO8BjXaJoeWdQwQ2bp%2FQcfyvdUb4Pvrt3XQwYFOk2mr8b4rED0qVcIwHJR%2BsuThK4OJZ2UDD33j3SWaLnQWvqNcWYh4ztOtaQ5rdigRUecHAp2%2FzBoAIDiDQ1dt%2BO6fIsVoBpviiklZs36Wwf0nFlkIMT95m%2B8cfstmYq4QdN0tsnVnLrQOcDWVn5%2F2kyHNOJPKNa2YoBhS04%2F3%2FOaY8jOWLNg0bBD%2F4HyV2%2BHRsdnyKb5d7irkJ85XnOw%3D%3D%7Ctkp%3ABFBMltX5oOlk

[Seabeowner]

They can be particularly tight and the hex head is not vey deep. Use a six sided socket.

[DomP]

When I rebuilt my 550 I couldn't get them undone, I mean I tried but the heads were going to deform so I left them.  Roll on to recommissioning and I appear to have a drip from the one below the stator😫.

[TezzerTel]

So I've finally got the plug out from under the points cover (it cant be reused now!!!!) and I was surprised just how much 'slurry' was behind it and the one at the other end of the passage. This wasn't from the blasting process but from god knows how many years of running. Glad I've gone to the trouble of getting them out now. I'll leave the other 2 in as I can't see any reason of taking them out?

[Sesman]

Personally, I’d remove them. Some of that slurry you have described may be lurking there. On the subject of cleaning oil galleries, what is your plan for the cylinder head camshaft galleries?