Got the head gasket replaced and now it won't start. Checked and double checked the cam timing and it seems ok. Does it just take a lot of cranking to build up oil pressure or do I have the cams off. It has no compression, do the valves have to be readjusted if you remove the cam carriers? Thanks for any input!

 

if the piston is tdc the case has a screw you can remove and install a longer one to lock it in place then you pull the chain tight on the front sprocket and align from there be careful and check twice, some have goofed in the past.

 

well to be honest with you it could be a # of things. But you probably have the cams off. If this is the case than you have valves that arent closing on the compression stroke and so forth. What mods are done to the bike?? Do you have aftermarket cams with the under bucket shims???

 

when you check you cam timming are the cam lobes facing out? i mean the exhaust cam lobes facing the front of the bike and the intake cams facing the back of the bike. when you check the timming do you rotate the motor over by hand a couple of time to make sure your timming marks line back up? was your headgasket leaking internal in the engine? if it was try putting as cap full of oil in the cylinder,im thinking the coolant might of washed out the rings. did you change the oil?

 

The engine is stock, it had a 150 psi of compression before we tore it down. The cams must be off, I'll check them again, rotate the engine and recheck. How do I get tension back on the timing chain, or will that happen when oil pressure builds up?

 

the cam timing is the most likely probnlem get back in there and check that real close.

 

If your cam timing is more then a few teeth off your piston will hit and bend the valves. This may be your problem now. To check for bent valves, put your engine at top-dead-center compression stroke as previously mentioned here, then check you valve clearance with a feeler gauge. If you can fit more then .015" you have a problem.
On the other hand, if you assembled it correctly and cam timing is correct you may just need to adjust the valve clearance. Same feeler gauge but should be .006"
Do a search on "valve adjustment" and you will find plenty of info on the subject.
Good luck

 

yeah i didn't want to bring up bent valves.

 

It could be you bent valves...

Yes I had a bad situation with cams not lining up... check your timming.. also remove the head and look at your valves... if they look off.. then you bent them.