How to check for oil pressure? ATC 200, rebuilt motor.

[Velislide]

Hey all, just finally got around the throwing the motor in my trike that I rebuilt. Started right up. Now my question is, how do I know for certain I'm getting oil to the head? I don't wanna trash the motor obviously, so I pulled a valve plug cover, and could see droplets of oil flying around in there. Is there a for sure way, to know I'm getting oil? Don't want my cam seizing up or anything.

[dustrunner]

Did you clean the screen in the bottom of engine when rebuilding ? was crank case dirty with nasty black oil when torn down ?

[Velislide]

The inside of the motor was actually extremely clean, cleaner then almost any I've seen on Youtube. Oil screen in the drain plug was also clean. The only thing in the motor that was was pretty dirty, was the clutch discs were falling apart. Flushed the clutch side of the motor out really well. Let it idle for about 5 minutes, and seems to run great, other then exhaust leaking extremely bad from a rusted through header. I just wish there was an easy way to know if I was getting good oil pressure to the head. Hard to see much in the valve adjustment holes.

[yaegerb]

Pop the valve covers and use a bright light (I use a large mag). Shine it in the valve openings. It should be very evident.

[Velislide]

It's hard to get my head in there, but I'll try again sometime. How long would it run if there was no oil going to the head? And if anyone has any videos explaining where to look, that would be awesome.

[Dirtcrasher]

On the rocker arm cover you will find a bolt (1 or more) with a copper washer. Loosen it.

Oil should flow right out of it.

There are 2 small o-rings in that rocker box, I'm sure you remember them.

Also, when you were in the motor, did you clean the oil filter rotor?? They work by centrifugal force and I always find junk in them.

And if you ever had to get it off, (because those screws may require allot of force, cracking the aluminum casting), that crank on the right side is left handed threads....

[DohcBikes]

+1. This bolt is specifically placed to check top end oiling.

[Velislide]

Okay, which bolt though? All the head nuts have copper washers, I'm guessing not those, right? If I can figure out which bolt exactly, that would be great. I've heard of this, but no ones ever said exactly which bolt or nut. It's always "one of the bolts" or something. Pretty vague, but it's a start.

[Shep1970]

Hello, im not sure on your motor but on the late 200x 's its the bolt with copper staring at you in pic, it may help u find yours.235076

[Velislide]

Awesome, I'll go take a look. Thanks.

[DohcBikes]

Attitude is everything

[Velislide]

Nope, the only nuts or bolts with copper washers are the head nuts. Since the oil travels through those holes for the head bolt studs, I suppose I could loosen one of those?

Edit: I loosened the rear right head nut, the same stud that has the O-ring installed, since I assume that's the oil feed? And had no oil coming out at all

[barnett468]

Nope, the only nuts or bolts with copper washers are the head nuts. Since the oil travels through those holes for the head bolt studs, I suppose I could loosen one of those?

Edit: I loosened the rear right head nut, the same stud that has the O-ring installed, since I assume that's the oil feed? And had no oil coming out at all

ummm, do NOT loosen the head nuts . Now you should torque them all down again.



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[Velislide]

Yep, re torqued it. So I'm guessing the 185/200 motors have no way to check for oil at the head? I see very small oil droplets flying around in the valve adjustment cover, but could that be from the timing chain possibly?

[yaegerb]

The reason you aren't seeing oil come out of that stud is because of that o-ring. Be happy it's preforming per design. My original post above is how you check the pressure. If you are seeing oil droplets moving in there you are good to go.

[Dirtcrasher]

I had said, "rocker arm cover". Not head, lollllllz....

Loosen the bolt Shep posted a pic of.

Also, on the rocker cover there should be a couple bolts with a copper washer, the casting actually has a solid "V" indicating those bolts.

Please say 1st gen 83/84/85 or 2nd gen 86/87 2nd in the future if possible.

Oh well, it will help someone someday...

[Velislide]

Motor is a 1st gen, and the rocker cover has 4 allen bolts, and 4 head nuts. Also a bolt for the decompression lever. Here is what I'm looking at basically. Except mine has no bolt at the finned area.

235081