Hello All! I am having a rather interesting problem with my recently purchased project trike engine. It's definitely an 85 350 X engine and it has a 3 way valve job, a moderate mid range webb cam, aftermarket steel valves, and high strength valve springs with steel retainers. Here's my problem: I just torqued the cam cover on the cylinder head and was attempting to set the valve lash. I rolled the engine over to top dead center on the compression stroke and aligned the timing mark on the magneto, however there was no play in the rocker arm. I backed the set screws out all the way and still the rocker would not move. Upon closer inspection I could see that the rocker arm was actually sitting on the valve spring retainer! With the valve lash set properly there is no clearance between either the intake or exhaust valves nearest the timing chain. Has anyone ever had this before? Are my spring retainers shot? Any advice would be appreciated. Thanks guys!
I'm having the same issue did you find your answer? Maybe someone could post some helpful info Thanks
After a lot of research I think I've reached a conclusion. I'm betting that the machine shop that did the valve job originally cut the seats too deep. This would cause the valve spring and retainer to sit higher. So, this leaves two options, the first is send the head out for a new set of valve seats, however I haven't been able to find a shop that does this sort of work. The second is what I did, after speaking with Powroll I simply ground material off the bottom of the rocker arm until I could achieve the proper valve lash. There are other cylinder heads that interchange with this engine if you can find one for a decent price the Honda trx 350 quad heads will work. I haven't fired this engine yet, but will keep you posted how it works out.
And that is exactly what I did. Bought a first gen 86 trx 350 motor. Split the head found a broken valve and lucked out with a good top end. More bang for the buck if you can find a motor. Having extra parts to is a bonus.
