Question about cam cap dowels

  • Mcdroid
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Question about cam cap dowels

20 Sep 2009 04:17 - 20 Sep 2009 04:18
#322622
I am re-assembling the motor on my KZ1100B2 and discovered (as I was torquing my cam cap bolts (to spec w/torque wrench)) that 5 of the 16 bolts would not torque... pulled the caps off and noted that the PO had Heli-coiled those five bolts and that the Heli-coils pulled out of the head. I am repairing the head by using Big Serts (Time Serts are now too small and Heli-coils pull out -- by definition). My question is: Big Serts, once installed, won't allow the use of the cam cap dowels on two of the cam caps. Just how critical are these dowels?
Michael
Victoria, Texas

1982 GPz750
1977 KZ1000A
1978 KZ1000A
1982 GPz1100
1975 Z2A

Last edit: 20 Sep 2009 04:18 by Mcdroid. Reason: sp

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Re: Question about cam cap dowels

20 Sep 2009 07:29
#322645
Never mind, the way Big Serts are designed, I can still use the cam dowels...but the question still remains...how critical are the can cap dowels?
Michael
Victoria, Texas

1982 GPz750
1977 KZ1000A
1978 KZ1000A
1982 GPz1100
1975 Z2A

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  • Old Man Rock
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Re: Question about cam cap dowels

20 Sep 2009 08:02
#322647
I would think EXTREMELY important....

Reasoning/logic....
With the caps base and tops surrounding your camshafts, the slightest offset would drag on your shafts...

Considering this uneven wear, this would eventually cause wobble/uneven cam shaft rotations that I can't think would be good. Possibly within time, through your lobe clearances off and possibly spit a shim...

This would most likely make one hell of a noise before reaching this extremity but....

Me speaking (Yeah I know, who cares), wouldn't go this route.... I guess I'm too anal about it.... :blush:

OMR
1976 KZ900-A4
MTC 1075cc.
Camshafts: Kawi GPZ-1100 .375 lift
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Re: Question about cam cap dowels

20 Sep 2009 09:49
#322669
Yeah, I figure those wily Kawasaki engineers put them in there for a good reason...it does stand to reason...and glad I figured out how to deep set the Big Serts :)
Michael
Victoria, Texas

1982 GPz750
1977 KZ1000A
1978 KZ1000A
1982 GPz1100
1975 Z2A

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  • grandadbob
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Re: Question about cam cap dowels

20 Sep 2009 12:24
#322747
The head and the caps are match drilled at the factory to ensure the camshaft bearings are perfectly aligned. The dowels are essential for alignment. Less than perfect alignment will result in bad damage and perhaps a failure.
In my opinion you need to find a new cylinder head.
Sorry for the negative comment maybe someone wil say I'm wrong.
'83 KZ550 C4 LTD
'06 VFR800 Vtec

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