Desperate

[DaveAus]

Just finished a full rebuild in my 45.

Putting all the finishing touches on tonight and adjusting the valves and realised no matter what I do, I can’t get the new bale covers to drop enough to start screwing up.

I’ve tried many things including brute force and nothing. I used the band type seals rather than the O rings.

Now I’m thinking the top has to come back off so I can replace them.

Any other help / suggestion would be very very much appreciated.

Thanks
Dave

[DaveAus]

In my depression on the phone in my shed I realised all my spelling errors.

It should say valve covers won’t come down far enough to screw on.

Thanks
Dave

[1950Panhead]

Does lower cover slide all the way down over upper cover ?

[DaveAus]

I don’t think it is.

It seems to be hitting the rubber band and then it won’t come down any further.

[1950Panhead]

Rubber band to wide.

[Pascal]

Been there, done that.
Some repop rubber bands are just too thick, which makes sliding the two covers in and out each other a real pain.
There's just one thing to do; replace them for proper thickness bands.
It is doable with the cylinders in situ, but that's tricky..

[RUBONE]

With a lower cover off look up into it. You may see a machined groove at the very top where the rubber band sits. It must be located in that groove from the beginning, it won't find it on its own. Not all covers are made the same, some are smooth all the way up, but in any case the rubber should be seated against the top lip.

[DaveAus]

I’d like to keep the cylinders on but with the tools I have I don’t think I can get it done.

With it all assembled I can’t see anything unfortunately Robbie as it’s all too snug

[rocket ron]

I’ve had success in the past using a feeler gauge. Push it up between the covers and move it around to push the seal into position. Use oil as lubricant. Worth a try, hopefully it’ll work for you.
Ron

[DaveAus]

Great suggestion Ron. I’ll give that a go

[bianese]

I am still trying to figure out how to get the upper valve covers swapped out on a BTSV engine that has already been installed, buttoned up, and cranked. I had a "professional" build the engine and he installed VL top covers and shipped it back to me knowing it was like this. I know nothing about timing the valve train or valve adjustment. Can this be done w/out changing the settings it is at now. I have nobody anywhere close to me that works on the old bikes and my engine skills are very limited. Any ideas? Seadub

[RooDog]

I'm not trying to be a smart ass, but why do you have "Bikes: Lots of BTSVs" if you can't work on them?

[bianese]

I build bikes' I have built lots and lots of them but I do not build engines. Not my thing and I know to leave that to those that know how. Are you saying for me to have lots of bikes that I need to be an engine builder? Seadub

[RooDog]

I'm saying that the more one can do for one's self, the less one needs to depend on others. less money spent, and a lot less time wasted waiting for others to get around to doing the work....
A timing chest a is not major surgery, the only cost involved is the gasket, which if properly installed is often reusable.
I have been screwed by enough by (dis)"reputable" shops, to have taken the time and effort into doing my own work.
But it's your trip, you pays yer money, you takes yer chances.....
Best wishes....RooDog....

[bianese]

Not sure what part of I don't do engine rebuilds you don't understand. I sure don't need you to micromanage my life by telling me how to save money. I only asked for info on whether this can be done w/out changing the valve settings. I obviously know more about this than you as there is no part of what needs to be done that involves opening the cam chest. Basically you are saying that if you own a bunch of guns, you need to be able to be a gunsmith so you can save money. I have tried to do things above my pay grade a time or two in the past and it always winds up costing me more than if I had paid a pro. Just stick to the topic please. Seadub