850 MK3 Finally coming back together........

Bernhard said:
I'm not accusing anybody but unless you have actually seen your engine stripped down, how do you know that it came out of your engine? Other than that, I'm saying nothing. But ask for it back and throw towards a scrap metal guy.
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If he gives that cam back to me ,how do I know it came from my Commando? The truth is
I trust Norman White .He’s a well respected Norton engineer who actually worked in development at Norton in the later years.He has a very good reputation,as I’m sure many people on here will agree.He’s probably forgotten more about Norton’s that I’ll ever know. Also he told me three of the four lobes were knackered. Prior to taking my engine down to him, I knew the cam was knackered as I had checked the valve opening on the engine when it was still in the frame.I knew one was opening ok but the other 3 were barely opening at all,which obviously ties in with what he has told me about it. There may be cowboys and crooks out there but there are also many decent honest people still around..........
 
Don't take it the wrong way I wasn't accusing anybody. But ask for your cam back and stick it on your own wall of disasters but don't say anything to NW.
 
JOHNO23 said:
I trust Norman White .He’s a well respected Norton engineer who actually worked in development at Norton in the later years.He has a very good reputation,
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I have to say that Norman would be one of the few people that I would trust as well. He's a really nice bloke. He's done work for me a few times, and posts my parts to me which I have received before he's been paid.

Fast Eddie said:
So, it’ll be getting a PW3 cam then...?
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He probably will recommend a PW3, but I don't see a problem with that either.
 
I’m not saying anything for or against the PW3 Martin, I just know you’d have to get pretty heavy with Norman if you wanted him to fit anything else!

As far as he’s concerned it is THE only Commando cam...
 
Fast Eddie said:
I’m not saying anything for or against the PW3 Martin, I just know you’d have to get pretty heavy with Norman if you wanted him to fit anything else!

As far as he’s concerned it is THE only Commando cam...
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Yes, I understood that you didn't mean anything untoward. I didn't intend to imply anything different. If I recall, Norman and Mick Hemmings used to have them produced and both sold them......or was that, pushed them. I had one, and it felt quite good, with no wear issues either.
 
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Fast Eddie said:
I’m not saying anything for or against the PW3 Martin, I just know you’d have to get pretty heavy with Norman if you wanted him to fit anything else!

As far as he’s concerned it is THE only Commando cam...
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I don’t know anything about that,but he asked me did I want a std cam or a PW3 He was happy to fit either..... A mate has had a PW3 for 20 years in his with no problems and bit more performance,so 8 went for that.
 
Hi guys, it’s been a while since I posted my progress. Well sadly there really hasn’t been much due to a very unexpected pretty catastrophic medical issue that only now I’m really stating to recover from. However, by the end of this month I’m hoping to be strong enough to get started on the rebuild! The engine is here and waiting to be fitted. Norman White looks to have done a great job.............obviously we’ll see when it starts:). So I’m now looking at the best way to go about putting it all back together.The frame has been powder coated as per the brit instructions and looks great, but what is the sequence to start the build. I’m sure many of you will have different ideas.I thought the engine would go in first via the front isolastic then the gearbox cradle and rear iso then gearbox.Then build up from there.It would be good to hear your ideas I’m sure there will a few different views but all helpful.
95EAFE83-D5A0-463A-8143-CEA371AD8BAB.jpeg
 
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Transmission cradle and swingarm (with oil retaining end caps) first, then transmission, then attach horn to battery tray and install that, then the power unit with front iso mount.

Beautiful engine, and I sure hope your recuperation is quick and full.
 
Fast Eddie said:
Most primers (as far as I know) wouldn’t defend against this, they’re designed to aid adhesion, not prevent against rust, and are actually porous.
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This is so true, I have gone 'round & 'round with co-workers , other mechanics / bikers etc... about this fact. Often times they think that because they are applying something rather than nothing, that it is ok or better off- but it's not and can be worse in some cases. Cj
Sorry to get off topic a bit...….Anyway, the engine looks great "Norman White" rebuild....I'm jealous :) thanks for posting this thread.
 
Gearbox is coming back together. New bearings and bushes fitted. I have a little wear on the kickstart pawl so will wait for that to arrive before fitting the inner and outer covers
850 MK3 Finally coming back together........
850 MK3 Finally coming back together........
850 MK3 Finally coming back together........
 
My two sons came over today to help me fit the engine.strictly observing a safe distance :)
It went in very nicely indeed, with no damage to the frame at all. I can now really get going on it over the next few weeks............
850 MK3 Finally coming back together........
850 MK3 Finally coming back together........
850 MK3 Finally coming back together........
 
Now you have to fiddle with unbolting the power unit from the transmission cradle and tipping it on the front iso, in order to insert the transmission. It won't go in with the engine bolted up at the rear. Tranny should always go in first, and come out last. Battery tray should also be in place before power unit goes in, and bolt the horn to the tray, including the horn wires! Otherwise, start over AGAIN...

Sorry...
 
grandpaul said:
It won't go in with the engine bolted up at the rear.
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I believe it will on the Mk3 (regardless of what it says in the Mk3 manual) as the crankcase doesn't partially block the opening with the engine bolted in place as it does on previous models.

850 MK3 Finally coming back together........
 
Why is the battery tray a problem? I’ve changed mine for a different type, removed it and refitted dozens of times in the process of ‘trail and error’ minor modifications, all with engine and box fitted, all with no problem...
 
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