Suggestions on 1983 Honda 185s

[crackshot]

Ok. My 185s overheated working on farm when pulling a major load.
Been noticing over the last year compression was getting weaker, harder to start. No smoke but oil is leaking now betwwen head and cylinder.
Was thinking of rebuilding top end this winter. Should I re-ring it or go for the bore and piston, new valves and timing chain.
Also, do timing chains have master link on them?

[bigredhead]

timing chains should be replaced with NEW one's.. forget the link option.

If you have a compression tester you can get an idea of the amount of wear on it.. but it will just confirm what you already know

To do a proper job ( by the book ) the pats should be micrometered for wear specs and then replace what's worn out.

[thefox]

It does sound like it is time for a top end job. As far as going for just rings or a bore you can't tell until you have it apart. Once you get it apart then check the cylinder and piston for scoring, also measure them to make sure they are still within spec. There really is no since in boring it if you don't have to. Valves generally don't need to be replaced very often but always check them out. I usually regrind them anyways just to make sure they are seating well. When you have them out don't forget to replace the valve stem seals. The timing chain does not have a master link; you order one that is made a correct length for your machine, so this means you will have to pop off the stator cover in order to get the chain off the lower sprocket.

If you take your time it is not that hard of a job. Good luck!

[crackshot]

Ahhh. thanks for the seal suggestion. So I don't have to split case on lower end to get chain out.
!st thing I have to buy is a manual. Which is best? Clymer?

[thefox]

The only time you will have to split the lower end is if you drop something in there:D . I prefer the Clymer manuals myself.

[bigredhead]

Speaking of dropping someting in there.

WARNING ::: Be careful when you remove the cam from the head. DO NOT drop the locating dowel pin that holds the timing advance unit on the cam !!!

[crackshot]

Thanks for suggestions. So I was looking on Eghey for a manual. All they have are these PDF manuals that say they cover "everything".
Anyone have any of these types of manuals and are the scans clear, not fuzzy?
Anyone know where I can round up all the parts at one place for cheap?

[Vealmonkey]

I prefer the Honda manuals. See if you can get one from the local dealer. They beat the other manuals hands down, a bit pricier though. There was one on ebay a week or so ago. I don't really like the manuals on cd. Once you get them you have to print out pages, I like having the reference material right beside me when I'm working on something I'm not familiar with. There is a person on ebay that sells the topend rebuild kits for the 185. All you have to do is send him your old cylinder and make sure it is reborable. The kit has the piston, bored cylinder, gaskets. Look for it on ebay if you don't have anything better around where you live.

[crackshot]

Thanks for info Vealmonkey. Looks like a good deal to me. All I need to buy is a timing chain.