Well I'm new here and this is my first post so hi all. I bought an 86 Lt230 from a guy that had it in his barn for a few years and we took it home and push started it no problem. Well we drove it around a few weeks (pushing starting it on cold starts usually) with no problems other than it didn't wanna idle unless it was really warmed up. Well we loaded it up on the trailer and when we got to the park it wouldn't start! It has compression spark and I believe it's getting fuel. I even used some starting fluid just to be sure. Well we dragged it around forever and it won't start! My guess is the timing chain or tensionser failed. If anyone could give me some pointers or any ideas on what to check I'd really appreciate it!! Also I pretty much never used the compression release, any detriments to that? Thanks guys!!

 

if the timing chain failed it probably would have bent a valve and not have compression. sounds like what my old honda ruckus did it would run great warmed up but hard starting and wont idle when its cold it ended up being the intake valve was not adjusted right and was stuck open pop the head off and adjust your valves to make sure they arnt stuck just a tad open.

 

Thanks man I'll do that for sure. Ya and every time I started it it never seemed to help if I choked it or not. I usually always started it without it and took off. I dunno if that has anything to do with the valves or not.

 

Make sure you adjust your cam chain tensioner as well. As you probably know you will have to find Top Dead Center(TDC) where there is no pressure on the valves(cam lobes not acutating valves/rockers). You don't actually have to take the head/valve cover off. There is a threaded plug on the head for each valve.
I dont use my compression release either and I am at 10.25:1 compression.(9:1 stock) Although it's very hard to kickstart and I weigh 225 lbs.

 

I'll be jones man I've never adjusted valves before. Familiar with engines and stuff just never have. Um exactly how do I do it and know I've done it all right?

 

take the head off and on the end of the rocker arms there should be a little screw with a nut on it [if theres not its shimed valves and get back to me on them] loosen the nut and back the screw off untill the rocker arm moves about a MM back and forth from the cam to the top of the valve. tighten it till it just touches and not a hair more. [make sure you do this when the motor is at room temperature] tighten the nut put the head back on [may need a new gaskit] and see if it runs if not and its still doing the same thing and u still think its the valves loosen the screws off till theres a little bit of play and put the head back on and try it if it runs DO NOT run it for more then a min as the valves closing without the rocker arm to stop it from slamming shot very hard could cause damage to the valve but i ran my ruckus for 4 weeks with it like that and it was fine as long as it doesnt rev high.

if you need any more info post up again i check this a few times a day




the new brunswick stunter.

 

Hey man I really appreciate the help!! I'm working 60 hours a week right now so when I get the time I'll put it off and adjust em and post the results. Thanks again!

 

Once again, you dont have to remove the cylinder head. Just unthread the caps above each valve on the head. Then you will be able to wiggle your correct feeler gauge in between the valve stem and the rocker arm. If my memory serves me correctly the tolerance on the intake is .001-.003 and the exhaust is .003-.005. Ofcourse, before you adjust your valve clearance you need to have the engine at TDC(top dead center) and as stated previously at room temperature. Top dead center is the point where the piston is at the very top of its travel and at that point the rocker arms should not be touching the valves hence this is the point where you would adjust the valve clearance. If there is still pressure on the valve stems then rotate the engine once around back to TDC and you should be ok. Use a wooden dowel or something of that nature to tell when the piston is at the top of its stroke(spark plug out). The only other way to determine TDC is with the stator cover off to see the timing mark on the crankshaft. This method would require you to drain the oil and replace the cover gasket.
If your going to do this type of work to your 230 I would strongly suggest buying a service manual. I bought one off of ebay for about 20 bucks for my 230 and I'm glad that I did.
Good Luck!

 

A mm is too much play. 1 millimeter = 0.0393700787 inches

 

Also, its pretty easy to remove the chain tensioner. If you do remove it, make sure it moves freely with the locknut released and it would'nt hurt to apply some grease to the slide.