Have I correctly installed my cam shaft?

[Drew400]

Hello all,

Having put the top half back together, I need some reassurance (or correction) that my camshaft is correctly installed. That's partly because the manual isn't totally clear to me, such as it's not obvious from which side the accompanying photos are taken.

My photos below hopefully show a correct installation. The pistons in cylinders 1 and 4 are high in their barrels (2 and 3 are low), the T mark for 1 & 4 is lined up with the crankcase mark and the lines on the cam sprocket are horizontal.

I guess I'll know for definite when the rockers are back on, but I didn't really want to test that theory before you guys and gals have had a chance to comment.

Thank you.

D.

p.s. I've discovered a part that I have failed to install - starter gear bolt & tab washer, doh! Looks like I have to separate the crankcases again, although the manual suggests I can do this without dismantling the top half. Any views, comments (like 'you idiot!) or tips, much appreciated!... yet another doh! I guess next time I do this job I'll have a better system of recording dismantling!

[Trigger]

Drew, there must be something wrong with your camera or, my eye sight because i can not see the notch in the end of the cam shaft.
Page 17>> http://manuals.sohc4.net/CB350_CB400/CB400_CB350_SM_1.pdf

[Drew400]

Ah, so there's a notch on the end of the camshaft is there? Hmm, something else for me to check in the garage! Thank you. Could be an important point! Page 17 doesn't make that clear or am I misreading something?

Cheers, D.

[MikeM]

this was for the 550 but sure it will be similar

http://www.sohc.co.uk/index.php/topic,2131.0.html

[Trigger]

Drew, it is not a notch like in Mike post. I have been looking for a 350 picture because i know the 400 manual is not that clear if you have never done one before. Did notice that you have no cam blades in.

[Trigger]

Drew, i have just worked out were you are going wrong. Only look at the Right side of the engine. (your points side) Line your T mark up and the two cam lobes must be facing down on that side, as in the drawing from the manual page 17. If you post any more pictures, then only take them from that side of the engine, this will make things a little clearer.

[Drew400]

Thanks again. I'll be double, double-checking before I seal this baby up!

Will keep you posted.

Cheers, D.

[Drew400]

Hi, me again!

Following advice received, here are some photos of my latest attempt at installing my camshaft.

1. T mark for 1-4 lines up exactly with the crankcase mark as stated in the manual
2. Notch is visible in the top of the camshaft at the timing end
3. Cam lobes at the same end both point downward
4. Horizontal lines on the sprocket are parallel with the top of the block

I'd be delighted to hear from anyone to either confirm it's correct or what I've done wrong this time! At least it gets easier to change it the more I do it.

Trigger, thanks for the tip-off on the tensioner... they were in but incorrectly fitted. Hopefully now that's corrected too. I wonder how many more things I can get wrong?

Cheers all,

D.

[hairygit]

That certainly seems right to me! Never be afraid to ask if in doubt, better to ask for advice than put it together and nagging doubts force you to take it apart again, at best you will have wasted very expensive gaskets and time, at worst you could have very expensive bent valves/damaged pistons/warped head etc:P

Sent from my GT-S5839i using Tapatalk 2

[Trigger]

Not Bad
And if you have any of that Black stuff i sent you, wipe some on the cam bearings. You see your oil feed pipe? Hope you cleaned it out. That is the main problem on oil starvation to the head.

[Drew400]

Thanks again.

I will be adding more Graphogen soon, if only to replace the stuff that's come off onto my hands with all these re Installations!

I have cleaned every orifice, so to speak with rags, air lines, etc. so I'm reasonably confident about oil flow. My worries are all around putting this back the wrong way or missing bits out entirely. Boy have I learned how next time I will manage my record keeping and labelling of bits so that they all go back where they should!

Until next time...

Cheers, D.