Condition of LRB's Valves!!!!

[suecanada]

As some of you know I sent my cylinder heads to Ted Porter for valve work as LRB's exhaust valve on the left side only kept closing up too quickly. All I can say is that I am mighty glad I pulled LRB off the road when I did. So, pay attention to those valve clearance changes!!! Best advice I ever got!  here's what Ted has found:

"Hi Sue,
 
I have inspected your heads and replaced the exhaust seats which had bad recession. Someone has been into these heads before. The exhaust valve guides are badly worn and they were oversized so the guide bores are quite large. I have some oversize guides in stock that I will be fitting soon, I expect the valves to be here soon and I expect the whole job to be done within about two weeks.
 
The previous machinist used an aftermarket stainless exhaust valve with very poor hardening, the keeper grooves had widened badly and were about to fail. I hate to say this, but whoever did your heads before used very poor materials and methods. We'll get them straightened out for you.
 
Best regards,
Ted Porter
BeemerShop"

[Bob_Roller]

Close call !!!

You just don't know what has been previously done, let alone done correctly when you are not the original owner !!

[Ed Miller]

Yikes.  At least yours weren't the ones he's been talking about recently on the Airlist, where the intake and exhaust valves were reversed.  Yeah the bike ran, but I don't know how.

I just adjusted my valves the other day and had to loosen up my right exhaust valve another .002"; it had closed from .010 to .008.  Obviously it ran fine, but that's still closing up.  That happened in 5,000 miles, and it closed up about that much in the previous 5,000 miles.  Before that it never changed.

[nhmaf]

Wow, Sue - sorry to hear that LRB's valves/heads were that messed up, but at least it was caught in time, and just think how well it will run afterwards !

[Semper Gumby]

Good for you.  You will be amazed at the change in sound after the new heads go on.  Mine make about half the noise they used to make although it still sounds like small spoons taping (lightly) on china plates.  

[suecanada]

I remember Bruno advised that valves should close up NO MORE THAN .001 in 3000 miles. So you aren't as desperate as LRB who was under 700 miles!!  or worse...but only on one side. I guess just because it's a problem only on one side is a moot issue! There are serious problems lurking.

[Bob_Roller]

Are you going to get your old parts back ?

Just curious about posting pictures of the worn out parts.

When I had my 'topend' done on both of my cylinder heads, it was amazing how worn all four valves were, that was at 47,000 miles.

It is something to look out for in the '81-'82 model year bikes, even if they don't have high mileage !

[Rob Valdez 79 R65]

Congratulations, Sue.  I am glad that was caught in time!  Too bad about your heads being in such poor shape.
It was nice getting that concise feedback from Ted.

[suecanada]

Ted will send back the old parts so I will be able to post them. So what's the consensus........does the cylinder need any sealant (thin, thin hylomar) at the Block end or NOT?? Or is it such a pain to be so precise in putting on the sealant, that one is better without it? I'll ask Ted Porter.

[Justin B.]

I use the Hylomar, some use 3-Bond, some use RTV, etc...

[suecanada]

Ted has replied that he doesn't like Hylomar but will send the stuff he likes along in the box with the other necessary parts to put it all back together. I'll let you know what it is when I get it.

[tagordon]

Sue
When are you expecting the heads back?
And what was the cost of the rebuild?
How far in advance did you have to schedule the work?
Give us all the gory details, please.
Troy

[suecanada]

I will. Sounds like the heads are done now. Ted received them Dec 4th but I did send a note along with them saying I was in the depths of winter so no huge rush. Then I found out I would need LRB up and running for early Spring so I sent him another note explaining that I didn't have quite the same time on my hands as I had. So he got right at them. I'll have to let you know about cost. I expect the heads to arrive pretty soon now. Keep ya posted!

BTW, Ted is very very good at replying to emails which is great given he must be tired at night like most others. he sounds very nice....along the lines of a Rick Jones or Oak..always willing to help.

[suecanada]

Here's another email from Ted and I'm getting more and more depressed. I am wondering if I should try harder to find out who might have perpetrated such poor work so that no one else falls prey to it. I know my PO didn't do it as she had all work done by someone else.
AAArgh!

Here's what Ted says:
 
I fitted your exhaust valve guides today, tomorrow I will try to get them finished. The guide bores were in poor shape from the previous valve job. I had to install the maximum oversize guide that is available. The bores were not very round, but I think they will be OK. I tried to machine them as round as I could but still keep the interference fit that I needed. If these guides fail, special custom oversize guides will have to be made. Whoever worked on these heads previously really made a mess.
 
I'll let you know when they are ready to come home.
 

[Ed Miller]

Sue, remind me:  how many miles on LRB?  I only have 55,000 on the Black Freighter so I have my fingers crossed that nobody has been in there!  I'm afraid to hear what the work costs on yours....  not as afraid as you, probably.

When he's done that bike should be good for a really long time!