It looks like I'm finished.

[cywelchjr]

It looks like I'm finished. I found after finally getting the replacement engine to the point that I could crank it over that I don't have compression on at least one cylinder, and it backfires out the carbs and the exhaust. I'm at a loss as I don't know how to troubleshoot at this point and I don't have the tools to do any further work, and don't have the money to get any more parts. I envy they guys in the midwest being able to get other xsessives over to help them when they get stuck, I'm not whining, not really, I just have hit a brick wall, and with 1 engine that appears to have valve problems that I don't have the tools to fix, and another with a steadily progressing rod knock, my sole transportation appears to be dead. I guess if someone is looking for a parts bike I have one now, as I can't afford to get a parts bike, with the economy the way it is I don't really even have the extra money right now for the head gasket (I thought maybe I could take the good head off my other engine and put on it, but I don't have the tools and can't afford to buy them to do that job right now). I have to come up with something to drive/ride to get to work, and the lovely state of Kalifornia won't register my xs400 because it was stolen and they don't like the answers to what was happening with it while it was stolen (meaning I don't know, and the guy who does is in prison). I just don't know what to do now. I guess I'm just venting now, but for now I guess I'm just stuck with a 600+ lb boat anchor.

Thanks for letting me vent, I guess I'm just bummed because I'm gonna miss everybody on here, but there's no point with no wheels.

[Bigfoot]

Hey man, really sorry to hear that you are having these problems. I am a little to far away to help and have never tore into the engine anyway. Is there anyone in the area that could help out a fellow xsive? Even if you end up getting another bike or cage to get around, there is no reason to not check in here every once in awhile. It sounds like you will have to get something different to drive but that doesn't mean you can't keep the xs and work on it as time and money allow.

Doesn't make sense that they won't register your 400. Do they not believe you that it was stolen or something? Or do they not think you are the rightful owner?

[tarzan]

Hey,I know how you feel.We all feel a little battered now and again.But you are right about getting a head gasket and swapping heads.Can't you just get a ride the next couple of weeks while you take the head off and get a gasket?
If you have enough tools to swap a motor out ,you probably have enough tools to swap a head.You don't need special tools.
Maybe after a short break you will get a second wind a be able to finish.
Good luck,Rick

[Ivan]

The only special tool I can think of for pulling the head is a torque wrench. An inexpensive bar type can usually be had at harbor freight.

[cywelchjr]

Yeah, I'm still kinda down, but the main issue is I would prefer not to use my old head even though I know it's ok, but the bike had been down and some of the fins are broken on the head. As a matter of fact, it looks very much like the picture of Lee's engine after the accident. I do however know it works, so I guess a head gasket and head change is going to be in the future. I do have a couple of reasonably good torque wrenches, but I thought there was something special needed to set the cam timing. I'm going to dig in and try to check the cam timing tomorrow, and maybe I'll be lucky and there out of time without bending any valves (yeah right!). Hey, I can at least hope right? At least I'm getting oil pressure when I crank it over and it stays a LOT longer than the old engine. Right now I'm going to take it one step at a time, maybe I'll be able to get it going, but some side work I'm doing is gonna bring in some money, so worst case, maybe I can find a known good engine for under $400 or so.

I can feel the good vibes coming from you guys though, so thanks for the good thoughts. It really does seem to help.

[tw1980]

I might have a new stock head gasket I can't use.(my bike has a 1197 kit)I don't think it will fit.If your interested I'll check and see.

Terry

[Bigfoot]

So if the replacement motor has no compression of a couple cylinders, what are the chances that it had some bent valves when sent to you? That is what the symptoms say to me, but I am by no means an expert in this. Did you adjust the cam chain prior to firing the bike up? If it is just bent valves, couldn't you take the valves from the old motor? Then, all you would need is a valve cover gasket or some yamabond/rtv. Things might not be as bad as they appear.

[bikerphil]

This is all you need to change out the valves if you need to. A 6" C-clamp and a piece of PVC pipe with a slot cut in it.....

[cywelchjr]

So if the replacement motor has no compression of a couple cylinders, what are the chances that it had some bent valves when sent to you? That is what the symptoms say to me, but I am by no means an expert in this. Did you adjust the cam chain prior to firing the bike up? If it is just bent valves, couldn't you take the valves from the old motor? Then, all you would need is a valve cover gasket or some yamabond/rtv. Things might not be as bad as they appear.

Unfortunately, since it didn't have the ignition on it, I had to move the ignition from my old engine, and I had to turn it over to find tdc. I do seem to have some compression but I don't have a guage so I don't know just what the conditions are. What I am getting is backfiring out the carbs, and yes I verified that the ignition parts on not 180 out. I'm going to pull the valve cover and check valve timing and clearance and if the timing is off I'll set it and see what I get. I expect I've got bent valves, but I've got my fingers crossed.

PS, I'm going to find and get one of those new found adjusters and replace the stock unit with it, why take a chance on problems with it down the road if I don't have to?

[trbig]

You can check to see if Terry has the new head gasket, but I have reused them many times with no problems... as long as they aren't delaminated and broken.


Tod

[DGXSER]

I know you said you checked this, but try switching the wires to the coils. It is pretty simple and may solve our problem. I've seen this be the issue after switching out the pickup coils on more than one occasion.

[cywelchjr]

I know you said you checked this, but try switching the wires to the coils. It is pretty simple and may solve our problem. I've seen this be the issue after switching out the pickup coils on more than one occasion.

I guess it's worth a try. Would this be the case even though it's the same pickup coil assy that was originally on the bike? Obviously I'll give it a try just in case, I'm just wondering what the chances are?

[cywelchjr]

You can check to see if Terry has the new head gasket, but I have reused them many times with no problems... as long as they aren't delaminated and broken.


Tod

My biggest concern would be that AFAIK, at least the old engines head has never been off, which would be a 30 year old gasket, and one with 80,000 miles on it. Of course I could be wrong and the head could have been off multiple times.

[kjohnson]

but I have reused them many times with no problems... as long as they aren't delaminated and broken.

I agree with that. On air cooled engines, the head gasket can generally be re-used many times as long as the cylinder rings aren't bent or broken. The rest of the gasket is basicly only there to hold those rings in proper alignment, and maybe hold in oil that isn't under pressure. They aren't like a watercooled engine that it has to hold in coolant under pressure.

[oldyam80sg]

Have a compression gauge you can borrow if you need.