Triumphrat

wllgmr · 05-20-2009, 02:12 PM

Well I had my exhaust pipes off (a different thread and problem all together) and noticed that the left exhaust valve wasnt opening. ARGGG. So off comes the exhaust rocker box. Apon further inspection I realized that the pushrod wasnt on the rocker. Put it back together and IT WORKS! Feels good to accomplish something. How common is this problem? was it not installed proberly by the previous owner?

Sunshine Jim · 05-20-2009, 04:43 PM

yup, it's something that can happen anytime the rockers or rocker boxes are worked on or the bottom of the pushrod cup breaks off a chunk that lets the pushrod slide off sideways.

you did examine the pushrod ends? a look down at the tappet block and the tappet ends is reccomended as well. a small mirror and 'bendy' light works pretty good for that.

i've actually seen crescent shaped marks on tappet blocks from something in the cylinder (usually the broken off other valve or chunks of it) making the piston hit the other valve forcing the rocker to make the push rod end stamp those marks there. usually the push rod is bent or the end cup broken out by this.

the trick when installing the push rods in the pushrod tubes is to put some assembly grease on the cup end that's meeting the tappet. this makes the cup slightly "sticky" and you can feel the tappet move in the tappet block by lifting it slightly with the pushrod. that stickyness also keeps the pushrod from falling off the tappet end when the rockers touch the rocker end when you're putting on the rocker boxes.

always make sure the pushrods are'nt bent by rolling them on a piece of flat window glass, any 'hump' at all indicates a bend and a need for a new pushrod.

check the rockers out too for any damage. let us know how it all works out. best of luck!

wllgmr · 05-21-2009, 12:12 PM

Well I did step 1 of grandpaul's long list of things to do before i start my bike. Drain the oil from the crankcase. I saw more metal in the screen than i wanted to thats for sure. Also a red spray can looking straw in two pieces. Certianly that shouldnt have been in there right? The metal has me concerened and the little red straw (in two pieces) has me baffled. O.K. let me have it.

Sunshine Jim · 05-21-2009, 03:53 PM

the red straw thingy is probably off a WD40 (or similiar spray lube product).

the shrapnel in the oil screen is not good. if you could see actual particles on the screen surface that indicates that something is breaking down or not fitted properly. even a thin trace of metallic sparkle in the oil drain pan (after the first two break in oil changes after a rebuild) is cause for alarm. are the bits identifiable? yellow is usually brass or bronze bits

IF they did a piston pin bushing redo (with a reamer) with the rods still IN the engine and did'nt stuff rags in the crankcase hole to catch the bits or were'nt careful lifting the 'catch' rags out of the case you could end up with fairly big brass bits on the top of the screen. the reamer needs some lube when you're cutting with it and could explain the red straw.

doing an in-case refit and not rinsing out the crankcase or checking and cleaning the bottom filter is potentially an engine killer mistake.

theres two main parts that usually shed brass. the cam shaft bushings and the piston pin bushings. any other color (black or aluminum colored ) indicates something else rubbing.

now the question is do you run it and hope for the best or do a teardown and at least check everything?

at a minimum i'd find out what the oil pressure is currently.

wllgmr · 05-21-2009, 09:33 PM

I'll check the oil pressure when I get it running. The wiring is a mess. I'm not sure what to do about that either. Now there is a brand new battery in it and the light wont even come on. I've been reading my shop manual but still havnt figured it out yet. Why does it show the positive on the battery going to ground in the wiring diagram? Wierd. Maybe I read it wrong.

rousseau · 05-22-2009, 01:15 AM

Important
Positive Earth

t100rc · 05-22-2009, 01:41 AM

You did not read it wrong. Most Triumphs from their 'good years' are positive ground. Calm down ... it's the same thing ... just backward ...