A few questions about top end rebuild

I have not done that type of rebuild yet, However, I think you might have gotten lucky. If I remember anatomy right, Straight down from that hole, is the big oil screen behind the 6 bolt panel, underneath the engine. meaning a new gasket, New Oil/recycle oil if you just put it in there.

good luck, Lucky

 

You can get a long magnetic pick-up from most auto parts stores. It helps to know for certain something is in there before you go fishing.

You can check one of the other washers to see if they are magnetic.

 

magnet might not work as the washer might be made of copper

 

Just rebuilding my motor. Sorry no good news. Washers under acorn nuts are copper. Magnet will not work. At the bottom of the timing chain tunnel is the crankshaft. There is a windage tray under the crank so the washer will not drop to the bottom. The oil should keep it (hopfully) from moving to far. Cross your fingers get a flashlight and a long pice of wire and go hunting.
Hope it works out.

 

One of those long, thin pick-up tools might work; often they are used in plumbing, but I also see them at auto parts stores. It isn't going to be easy getting that thing out!

 

Are you sure you dropped it in the engine or are you just missing it? I remember that I had a hard time getting mine off of the head having been torqued in place for all those years. Have a second look. maybe it is still on the head.

 

For the chain tensioner, you need to reset the ratchet mechanism as you seat it. I didn't do this the first time and ended up needing new bolts.

 

The tach gear gets in the way sometimes.

 

Are you tightening the bolts gradually and in a diagonal/star-like pattern (just like lug nuts on a car)?

It is normal for the cam cover to be cocked up on one side like the first photo when it is laid on. The lobes on the cam push on the rocker arms which push on the valves. As the cover is tightened, the valves become depressed; there will always be some resistance during the process. It should not be difficult, however, or require any strength.

How are you turning over the engine?

Are the points and advance unit on for some reason at this point? I remember having them off until the cam cover was installed. The same goes for the cam oil seal. I am a little concerned it could be pinched by the cover as it is tightened, but this may not happen.

Also, just to double-check. You did set the cam chain timing correctly, right?

Other things; the cam might not be seated properly.

Did you lube the cam and bearings and fill the troughs with oil?

 

Hang on, I am posting too late

 

What service manual are you using?

 

Page 46 shows how to set the cam chain timing.

The blade orientation can be seen clearly here:

The only other thing you can do wrong is lay the cam in improperly.

It is normal for it to be difficult to turn the engine over by hand with the kick start; use the bolt on the stator side under the round cover (17mm).

You shouldn't need to adjust valve clearance for the engine to turn over; even if they're way off the engine should feel about the same when turning it over.

Make sure the transmission is in neutral (lol).