1967/1969 Bonnie Rebuild Desert Sled Project - Any Advice

OK, this makes sense and speedrattle offered an elegant explanation of work needed to install the bushing appropriately. It seems with the timing gears seating against the cam ends the issue is to make sure there is enough clearance between the bushings and shoulder of the cams.

 

OK, got it. I know you explained this clearly before. I suppose as I get ready to install these I am doing the measure twice, cut once thing. For me it will be measuring more than twice.

 

I've taken a look again at the bushing I have. I think most, if not all are good as they are. For one I may need to follow your instructions to remove a bit on a whetstone.

 

I am going to replace some (or all) of my engine fasteners as well as engine to frame fasteners. I would think using stainless fasteners would be a good idea, however I am wondering if there is any issue with this (stainless to aluminum)? Also, I see replacement fasteners on a number of vintage internet sites, but I’m wondering if some members have comments on the best places to buy these replacement fasteners? Thanks to all.

 

I picked up my engine cases from Sean at Motorelic (https://motorelic.com) here in Northern Virginia. He vapor honed my engine cases, head and rocker boxes. I was considering not having this done since I had cleaned the cases quite nicely, but I’m really pleased with the results! Sean did a great job and he has some very cool builds in progress now.



I then drove my head down the road a bit to Rob at Virginia Vintage Cycle (http://virginiavintagecycle.com). He was gracious to take a look at some of my problematic parts, especially my pitted cams and tappets. Looks like I’m in the market for new cams and tappets now as the pitting was too deep to consider then serviceable. Rob went over his head rebuilding process. He also took a look at the place in my head where the head bolt hole breaks through the inside of the head (and is plugged by a steel insert) and says he sees this on a lot of heads and is not a problem the way it is. He was putting several bikes together and offered me several build tips, specifically on a transmission he was installing - which will save me from some mistakes I was probably going to make. All this to say that he was very generous with his time and knowledge. He also has some very cool custom bikes in process as well as restorations and is very busy these days. Glad he could fit me in.

 

Definitely! Sean said as such - as does everyone else. Taking a crack at it tonight.

 

Oil Drill Way Questions: My 1969 T120R engine had a Routt 750 kit with no oil way in the Cylinder, and my right (timing) side case has a plug in the oil drill way. So it last ran with tappets without the holes for oil passage. The new 750 Cylinder I purchased has the oil drill way. Since I am going to have to replace my old tappets (pitting and scoring) I am going to get the exhaust tappets with the oil hole. My question is about removing/drilling out the plug of the oil way on my timing side case. So, do I drill this out with an appropriate diameter drill bit? Also, how far do I need to drill the hole? Perhaps this will become apparent while drilling?If any of you have done this before I’d appreciate your comments on how to proceed. Once it is drilled, do I then need to install a hollow dowel? Thanks for your comments!

 

Speedrattle, OK thanks. Some more to think about. It just seems good to have a bit more oil moving. But it also seems like there quite a few folks don't see the need.

 

Thanks for the comment on stainless fasteners. I will have to check out klempfs as well as the local hardware store - though good ones are hard to find these days.

 

I finally got some time to install my cam bushings. The cases were very clean. I put the bushings in the freezer for a couple of hours and then installed them with the driver tool sold by Lowbrow customs. Then used the reaming tool for the bushings with the cases bolted together. I fitted the cams and put the cases together and it seems that they are a good fit. Now on to replacing some bearings.

 

Thanks for this. I was trying to remember which bearing needed this treatment so thanks for the reminder. I've been taking it slow with this so as to not have too many do-overs. Still considering whether to drill the oil way or not.