HELP! Cylinder head Kawasaki MULE 550

[Travis]

But im not sure if one got pushed down, or the other got pushed up...?

[Travis]

Here is a diagram

http://www.kawasakipartshouse.com/oemparts/a/kaw/500b24b0f8700223e478dbed/cylinder-head

[kenfain]

I'm liking the shortest one. But it's hard to tell with this tiny phone picture. You'll want the most of the guide, down inside I'm thinking. Just a bit of guide sticking up. 

[Travis]

That's what seems right me....

[Travis]

I found a video, where the guides where uneven, and the tallest one wasn't letting the intake go down far enough cause the top of the valve  spring kept hitting the guide...

I think we can call this case closed. Verdict i believe is. The tallest is the guilty party. What do you think gentleman of the jury     ?

[kenfain]

Just looking at the link. I'd say put the clips on, and drop em in. Well lubed. They're the same part number, so they'll be the same height and everything else. They'll drop all the way down till they bottom out on the clip. If not find out why. 

Sometimes just taking something apart does the trick. When you put it back together, it just works. Don't even know why it worked. It just does! But not always, so there's that.

The good news is that this WILL work! 

The bad news is that I'm hanging it up for tonight. You keep at it, and when it's right you'll know it. Don't be afraid of pulling it back out. The spring probably sits on top of the clip, to hold it all down. 

 

[Travis]

NIGHT!  One final point, i need a valve guide arbor to get them out according to the manual, but its a SPECIAL TOOL.

[kenfain]

That tool just looks like a fancy punch. If you've got a punch long enough, I'd gently tap it out with that.

[Travis]

Thanks Kenfain!

[kenfain]

Well...? How's it coming? Any progress?

[Travis]

Haven't tried it yet. Just now got home.

[Travis]

Nope didn't work. Scarred up part of the da#@ guide. I guess i have to shell out 150 for the new head (Repeat customer discount).....THANKS though.

[kenfain]

It's too early to throw in the towel just yet! The buggered up guide could probably have the rough spots dressed out. Or just replace the guide. If it's still in the head, then you could probably get the tool to remove it. That tool will also help replace the new one.

As long as the head itself didn't get any real damage then nothing has changed, just a setback. 

[Travis]

I contacted Our local machines shop, Ted's Engine repair, he said he's not 100% sure if he can do it, since it is a smaller head. I m gonna take it to hm tomorrow and see he can, take em out.

And then what i'll do if he can take em out, i ordered a new guide (s) because they wore past the service limit (measured today), so i'll have new ones he can put in too.

[kenfain]

Sounds like a plan, but now you're adding the amount that Ted's charging. So as a learning experience, you've got to consider that. Will everything just work, when finished? Remember buying the whole thing new, it's a finished product.

This is why I suggested that you eat the seventy bucks in the first place, and go new. What other problems are waiting to be found? Just to be clear, I really want you to get the experience, but there's always a price to pay. Typically, it's having to tear back into that motor. But that's all a part of learning this stuff. It's a skill, and knowledge that will serve you well in many other fields, as well as mechanics. So my recommendation is to keep going at this point. As a point of pride you'll be more satisfied with the end result by doing it yourself. You'll be so glad you stuck it out in the end. Even if it doesn't work out right away.

 

  So many times we just end up selling a failed project, but that knowledge can't be lost. So maybe the next project gets the satisfaction. Either way you're better off having finished this yourself. 

   Wish I could say that the chicks really get into mechanics! But unfortunately that's not the case lol. Even wives don't appreciate it, they just expect it. So this project is investing in yourself, and it's a worthwhile investment.

   It's gonna be great!

 

 

 

[Travis]

Yeah, My brother, and a friend of ours have used Ted's for LOOONG time. Always reasonably priced. I called and they said, he has the tools to remove/install, but  since it's a small utv he might not can do it.

But i have a back up company,  Power Toys of Texas, they said they might could do it too.

50 minutes ago, kenfain said:

This is why I suggested that you eat the seventy bucks in the first place

New head was 200, before shipping and tax.

 

55 minutes ago, kenfain said:

Will everything just work, when finished?

When im done, im taking it to our mechanic and he said he'll be more than happy to inspect my work.

 

55 minutes ago, kenfain said:

Wish I could say that the chicks really get into mechanics!

I could make  a calendar.     

[Travis]

Shoulda bored out the cylinder and put this in  

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=va7ohljUnas

 

[kenfain]

24 minutes ago, Travis said:

Shoulda bored out the cylinder and put this in  

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=va7ohljUnas

 

You'd probably need bigger tires though.

[Travis]

https://tse4.mm.bing.net/th?id=OIP.fjsgLirTyaV6wVWMFxDO0gEsDJ&pid=15.1&P=0&w=268&h=181

?? How bout these?

 

[vaughn]

 

[Travis]

According to the start of the video, I ain't got a prayer.

Thanks, @vaughn! This tuesday, I'm taking it to the machine shop.  They said it would cost 25-30 dollars, PLUS! He's going to grind the valve seats some, and re assemble the head for me!

http://tedsenginemachineservice.com/engine-repair/4103898

They've been there 51 Yrs!

[Travis]

I figured the 30 dollars would be cheap insurance against me doing it, and messing something up worse. Let the Pro's do it, Unless you REALLY know what your doing.

@vaughn Ever watch "Taryl Fixes All" on youtube. Pretty hilarious!

[vaughn]

3 minutes ago, Travis said:

I figured the 30 dollars would be cheap insurance against me doing it, and messing something up worse. Let the Pro's do it, Unless you REALLY know what your doing.

@vaughn Ever watch "Taryl Fixes All" on youtube. Pretty hilarious!

Smartest statement I've heard today. As Clint Eastwood said "A man has to know his limitations."   Valve jobs are not for the inexperienced in my book.

[Travis]

And as John Wayne said, "A Man's gotta do, What a man's gotta do"