Sleeved cylinder heads deteriorated.

[JTP obsession]

Hey everyone,

I'm currently replacing my piston rings and restoring the engine from there up as best as possible on my 1981 xs11.

After removing my jugs, I noticed that the plastic sleeves on the two cylinder studs (front/inside edge of cyl. 1 and 4) were completely deteriorated. I'm not sure what the function of these are, and wondering if I can get away with putting my engine back together without the sleeves. What are the risks?

It looks like I would need to replace the studs entirely if the sleeves are critical, but I would run a high risk of snapping the studs during removal (or not finding replacements), and I can't really afford a new crankcase...

Thanks for the wisdom!
J.

[Radioguylogs]

I know the feeling

I have not pulled the head on either of my XS11s, but I have found the same plastic sleeves in my XS750s.

I read the purpose was for rust prevention, but that seems hard to believe because they fit loosely.

I don't think they are important at all. On my project, they crumbled into pieces, so I just pulled out the pieces, and wire brushed the long studs. Then I coated them with a coat of grease to make me feel better about rust. I don't know if the grease would be effective with the heat, but it made me feel better.

[TomB]

You can rebuild without them with no problems.

As you say they crumble when removing the Jugs, all mine have and all rebuilt without.

[MaximPhil]

I have not pulled the head on either of my XS11s, but I have found the same plastic sleeves in my XS750s.

I read the purpose was for rust prevention, but that seems hard to believe because they fit loosely.

I don't think they are important at all. On my project, they crumbled into pieces, so I just pulled out the pieces, and wire brushed the long studs. Then I coated them with a coat of grease to make me feel better about rust. I don't know if the grease would be effective with the heat, but it made me feel better.

hi Mike,
A bit of lubrication is always good makes it easier to get it in or do I mean on
Thanks for sharing your experience of an area I have no knowledge.
Phil

[natemoen]

Those stud sleeves are not needed. You can go ahead and rebuild everything without them.

[sthomag]

I replaced them with a couple of layers of heat-shrink tubing. It's cheap and easy, and it might protect against corrosion. One stud did have a little corrosion damage.

[JTP obsession]

Thanks, all this makes me feel better about getting everything buttoned up!
Say, might anyone have an extra shim adjustment tool I could buy?

[3Phase]

Funny you should ask, forum member LGNM just posted some '79F parts in the For Sale forum and a valve tool too:-


Updated list 2/25/17- small items
Valve shims - 10 assorted sizes with installation tool $30