Cam Bearings Install

[EvenmoreXS]

I got that, Im refering to the distance the cam sticks out on either side for the cam gear to be centered. Looks like the threaded part sticks out farther. If I do take the head off it wont be an issue, but if I can move th bearings in without taking the head off, I want to make sure the cam is back to center.

Wait........how bout this.......looking at the pic it occured to me........dont want to overthink it...but.....once i put the bearings all the way in , the cam gear shouldn't move either way and should be centered if the bearings are in place all the way in......


Right?????

 

[Tim of DO THE TON]

Yes.

The idea is you don't want any side to side play in the cam.

So, the bearings go all the way on.

Then, the unit is centered on the head, such that the cups that go on either end can be fully seated and tightened down against the gasket that goes under them.

When that is done, the cups are seated against the bearings and bolted to the engine on both sides, eliminating any movement.

The seals inside the cups prevent oil from escaping through the bearings and into the cups which house the ignition advance and points.

The gasket/o-ring combo prevent oil from seeping between the cup and mating surface on the head/rocker cover.

I seem to recall someone using the cups themselves to push the bearing in if it wasn't fully seated, but again, the rocker cover needs to be loosened a bit to allow the bearing to move a bit more easily. Doesn't have to be sloppy loose, just take the torque off the nut. Keep in mind bearings are often pressed into place, so they will move if encouraged gently and the top cover is loosened a bit.

 

[EvenmoreXS]

I think i got it. Thanks.

While i have the covers off, I have new oil seals for the cam shaft, but I cant get the old ones out. They are in there pretty good. Can I use a socket and rubber mallet and tap em out? Would they go out the back or the front. Installed from the front or the back?

 

[Tim of DO THE TON]

I've never replaced mine - more or less for the same reason. Pain to remove and they didn't seem to leak. You can always take the covers off - no big deal.

 

[XSLeo]

The bores the seals go in are straight through, so you can remove or install from either side. They have been in there for 30+ years so they may be a bit stuck. They should drive out the back side with a bit of persuasion. I would press the seals in from the outside. This way you can press the seal in to just flush with the housing. A bit may stick out the rear but that's ok.
Leo

 

[EvenmoreXS]

Good. One less thing to do. If they do leak, I have new ones. I'll clean the inside of the covers so I can spot any leaks.

Purchased Part #35-0111 from mikesxs to remvove the rivets from my drive chain. Had to cut it off the bike with a dremel. Could not get the rivets out, not even with a pin and hammer once i did get the chain off. Gonna try this tool over lunch today. I will keep you updated. Fingers crossed.

 

[EvenmoreXS]

Well. I got the head loosened, tapped the right side bearings back in. I put the right side cover on to hold the bearings in place. Tapped the left side bearings in. I put the left sid cover on just to make sure everything seated well. Seemed good, so I took both covers off. Torqued the head back down and replaced the covers. Then set the valves again.

Sound Good ?

On another note,...im a tard... I used the wrong tip in the chain breaker tool and bent my cam chain pin trying to push my drive chain rivet out. Just a total brain fart moment. I knew which one to use. I was in a hurry over lunch and fucked up. Not a major thing, but it was like Murphys Law all day . Couldnt do anything right. Like i had the Shanks.

Glad its over.....whew. Back to doing shit the right way the first time.

Thanks for all the help everyone.

 

[EvenmoreXS]

Going to install the engine soon. I have a question about wasted spark and where my cam shaft is now. At top dead center on the left piston, the PAMCO timing marker pin in the camshaft on the right side is pointing straight down. On TDC on the right piston it is pointing straight up. I know its supposed to point up and down, the question is..

does the timing pin on the right side of the cam shaft have to point UP on TDC on the LEFT cylinder specifically, or will wasted spark handle this.

Thanks

 

[XSLeo]

It doesn't matter. As long as it points straight up or down when the TDC mark lines up.
The same applies with points and two coils as with a single coil with wasted spark.
Leo

 

[EvenmoreXS]

Thats what I suspected.

Thank you.

 

[Cafe Murdock]

You can loosen the headbolts, use a socket large enough to fit against the outer bearinmg race but not so big it hits the head/rocker box. Now just gently tap on the socket. This will push the bearings on the cam. To be sure your all the way on watch the other end of the cam. When it starts to move the bearings are on all the way. Repeat for the other side. Once they are on all the way measure from the outer race out the where the housings seat on the head/rocker box. I use the depth measuring part of my dial caliper. Get the measurement the same on both sides. Retorque the head.
Leo

Wat size is the key on the left side of the cam that holds the bearings in

 

[Cafe Murdock]

I lost mine on teardown apparently

 

[5twins]

I don't know why there's a notch there because there is no key that goes in it. So, you didn't lose anything.

 

[Cafe Murdock]

Ok hell yea i was startin to freek

 

[Cafe Murdock]

Cuz ive been goin all night to finish my 706cc build n my 79xs650 cafe to have to ginish season with n have my 706 broken in propper befor winter storage n it had me all tore up

 

[5twins]

Be sure to follow the assembly instructions in this thread and make sure the bearings are pushed in as far as they'll go on both sides. I know it looks wrong because they hang off the bearing seating area on the inside a little, but that's the way they need to be .....

Then measure the inset on each side and make sure they're the same. This centers the cam and cam chain in the head .....

 

[Deadhead]

my camshaft had no bearings when i took the engine apart its a 1981 xs650 special. i was told they didnt come with bearings should i use them or not.

 

[Deadhead]

I have a 1981 xs650 special after taking the engine apart to rebuild i noticed the camshaft didn't have any bearings on either side. i was told this is normal, but should i install them anyway. thanks for any help and insight.

 

[jpdevol]

pics of the head and camshaft in question might help find an answer

 

[Deadhead]

Here is the head and camshaft that has no bearings on either end do i install them or leave it be. i have no idea why some xs650's caame with no bearings in 1981