So I am now looking at the possibility of just swapping in a new motor in my 99 SP500, other than the 500HO is there any other motors that would direct bolt in without screwing around a bunch?

If I decide not to swap the motor and do the cam fix on my non-HO do you think I'll need to replace rockers and valves at the same time??? That's why I worry the cost is going to get to the point quick that it would make sense to just swap in another motor.

 

I would say a top end cam Job is cheaper and less hassle than a engine swap. Any 500 motor would bolt straight in, a 500 Scrambler,500 xplorer,500 Magnum even a 500 Ranger. The 500 motor has never changed except for a cam and fuel intake.

Cam Assembly price list.

 

Do you think I'll need the rockers valves and everything or just the cam and seals? Every tech in town said something different when I called to get pricing anywhere from just the cam to replace everything in the head.

 

Chiming in a little late,but if cam is bad, AS posted above cheaper to replace cam and Exhaust rocker arm If exhaust lobe flattened ( This is all I ever see is exhaust lobe ground down and wear on rocker arm,Never have seen intake lobe damage and usually reuse them. Have flattened cam on Ranger I'm rebuilding, I just ordered a new cam and exhaust rocker arm along with a ton of bottom end parts because of NO oil. SINCE I've torn this engine completely down,will lap valves and replace valve guide seals,something you should not have to do.

 

I was hoping you would chime in OPT, I figured some of them were full of it when they said replace everything in the top end. I know cam is bad, put a finger in to feel it tonight and I don't think there is any lobe left in there. Exhaust valves don't move a stitch all the way thru the rotation. Seems to be oil up there everything has a nice clean coating on it but prior owner could have done the damage with no or infrequent oil changes. Gamble I took on an older machine that was a pretty good deal.

I'll get the cam and the exhaust rocker on order tomorrow and get it going next week hopefully...

 

Invest in a manual if havent already done so,MAKES work much easier. Good luck

 

already ordered one and it is on the way, learned my lesson in the past to have the manual at hand to do it right the first time...

 

Here is a very good manual for 96-2003 SP400/500 for free to download.96-03 Sportsman manual download.

 

thanks, big help until the paper version gets to me!!!