Push rods

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Marcb

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Enlighten me. I got the head on OK but I can't get the push rods into the rocker arms. What is the secret. I'm feeling really dumb about now.
 
You have to lift the head a little then use a long rod or screwdriver to position the cup end of the pushrod into the ball end of the rocker. Once all seem to be in position…lower the head. The head will not settle completely onto the cylinders until the head bolts pull it down as likely one of the valves will be in an open position.
 
Long pushrods go to the intake rockers and should be in the middle with shorter exhaust pushrods on the outside.
 
This job goes easier if you have a second person helping. Take great care to insure the pushrods are actually engaged with the lifters. They don't automatically do this. Usually they do but perhaps 20% of the time they don't. I've done this for years and I still get help for this process whenever I can.
 
Do a search on here how to fit the head
It's harder to do in the bike than with the motor on the bench
Opinions vary on this subject but personally I place the rods into the rockers,twist a rubber band around the rods where they poke out to hold them in place
Then I lower the head down to the barrel and once the rods are engaged on the cam followers I reach in the gap between the head and barrel,snap and pull the rubber band out with a pair of long nose pliers
Then tighten the head down
 
seattle##gs said:
This job goes easier if you have a second person helping. Take great care to insure the pushrods are actually engaged with the lifters. They don't automatically do this. Usually they do but perhaps 20% of the time they don't. I've done this for years and I still get help for this process whenever I can.
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I've never had the rods not engage in the cam followers but I can imagine it happening
You are lucky to have assistance
 
one of these comes in handy when seating the cups on the rocker arms

Push rods
 
I've done everything that was suggested here, but to no avail. I' have to give it another try. Thanks everyone.
 
BSA used to supply a comb for pushrod location on a10 &7 perhaps smething similar could be devised for Commando heads
 
Marcb said:
I've done everything that was suggested here, but to no avail. I' have to give it another try. Thanks everyone.
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Post in thread 'Pictures of head install procedure (2015)' https://www.accessnorton.com/Norton...head-install-procedure-2015.19414/post-290198
This is not exactly how I do mine but similar
I twist a single rubber from one holding down stud to the other weaving in and out of the push rods with the band holding the rods in position and tight into the rocker arms then lower the head until the rods engage and pull out the band
Sorry I don't have any photos
 
Is it possible to lay a steel rule or similar across the barrels just to keep the head a bit higher to help locate the rods? I've seen two washers (one either side) suggested before, but that always seems fraught with the potential of losing them....
 
Marcb said:
Enlighten me. I got the head on OK but I can't get the push rods into the rocker arms. What is the secret. I'm feeling really dumb about now.
Click to expand...

Fit the highest pushrod to its rocker first Edit: Support the head as necessary above the cylinder block with a suitable piece of wood or other packing and remove after the first pushrod is in position. A hooked wire tool or similar as suggested will probably be needed to locate the pushrod.
A rubber band as mentioned will keep the rocker ball end in the pushrod.
Fit the next highest pushrod using the #1 head bolt only to lower the head as necessary and repeat for the last two pushrods finally pulling the head down to the gasket with the #1 bolt.
 
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L.A.B. I'll try your method. I followed everyone else's advice including a wood shim to hold the head up so I'll give it another go. Good thing I have a sweet helper (My wife), to help me. Thanks fellows.
 
Marcb said:
L.A.B. I'll try your method. I followed everyone else's advice including a wood shim to hold the head up so I'll give it another go. Good thing I have a sweet helper (My wife), to help me. Thanks fellows.
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what works for others may not work for you, but I find holding the head high and steadily enough to seat the rods is most irritating, shims under the head... I've tried that, but I now simply use a length of bungee cord, hooked onto the two rocker feed banjo bolts and run over the frame tube. For me, this holds the head up so I can get the rods seated, and has enough stretch so I can push the head down far enough to get the first couple head bolts installed. What used to be an hour long affair of cursing and cussing is now, at most, a 15 minute job
 
Marcb said:
L.A.B. I'll try your method. I followed everyone else's advice including a wood shim to hold the head up so I'll give it another go. Good thing I have a sweet helper (My wife), to help me. Thanks fellows.
Click to expand...
And Of course after much blaspheming & tantrums your current wife may not be quite as sweet...:eek:o_O:mad:
 
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What I do is I leave one exhaust rocker arm out until the head is installed. I think that Jim Comstock does it this way sometimes as well. If you leave the right rocker out when you put the head on you can turn the engine so that only the right cam follower is up. That way when you put the head on all the other pushrods are un loaded. Then once the head is lightly torqued down, turn the engine so that the right exhaust lifter is down, then fit the rocker arm.
 
AND FINALLY...if you believe the pushrods are engaged properly top and bottom, use only the FOUR OUTSIDE BOLTS (by the spark plugs) to draw the head down to the cylinders. Turn off the radio or anything else that makes noise and CAREFULLY and SOFTLY turn the motor over feeling and listening for anything unusual, like TWO VALVES TOUCHING EACH OTHER. Sometimes this can be seen through the exhaust port. It doesn't take much force to bend a valve and break a guide so stop immediately. Lift the head up to the frame, move the pushrods up and down with your fingers and hope they fell into the lifters correctly this time.
 
seattle##gs said:
AND FINALLY...if you believe the pushrods are engaged properly top and bottom, use only the FOUR OUTSIDE BOLTS (by the spark plugs) to draw the head down to the cylinders.
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Only the #1 bolt should be used to pull down the cylinder head. The head will then be drawn down squarely and the person doing the job only has to concentrate on tightening one fastener whilst keeping a check on the pushrod locations.

Factory Manual, Section C9, 7.
Push rods
 
I tried something different. I ran the rockers all the way in, rubber banded the push rods in the head so they were seated. Installation was a breeze. Problem solved!
 
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