Started my MCCT swap + hit a few snags..

[Pyro]

Your not wrong that the alternator cap is made of cheese! its not budging so i'll get another cap before i attempt more butchery. I tried brute force, heat, shocking it with a hammer,and hammering in a torx bit, no joy. Next plan is to drill 2 holes, put in 2 bolts and use a lever bar, but i want a spare ready! A neighbor asked why not put it in gear and turn it over with the rear wheel? Nice idea i thought, i'll whip out the plugs..
Next up, what size are the spark plugs? Neither of my plug sockets fit?
Fun n games!

[AMCQ46]

You need the plug spanner out of the Honda tool kit, there is not enough clearance for a full sized socket

[Pyro]

Which of course is missing from my bike.

[sirch345]

A neighbor asked why not put it in gear and turn it over with the rear wheel? Nice idea i thought, i'll whip out the plugs..

That is very true you can do that, but the best option is to remove the center cap.

The problem with the center cap being a pain to remove is, most do them up to tight

Chris.

[Pyro]

Im glad ive made a start anyway, it was an exploritory mission today really, ive worked on plenty of cars, so i know never to expect things to go according to plan.
ive never twirled a ratchet at a 'storm before so it was good to get a feel for the girl before i get stuck in, ive made good progress for next week anyway, when i can source all the bits i hadnt counted on replacing-I also found my air filter is pretty much blocked, "changed just before i sold it to you mate" yeah right, you could plant spuds in it..

[lumpyv]

think i read on here some where that someone used a hammer drill on the slowest speed with the appropriate sized key?

[MJONESY]

I just had a thought on what may be an easier way of removing the cap after you have rounded it off, drill 2 holes and use the spanner for removing the nut on an angle grinder?

never had the problem so couldnt say if it would work or not but maybe worth a go.

[benny hedges]

rather than turn it over with the rear wheel, its a bit easier and more accurate if you use a socket on the gearbox sprocket.
you will fine, even in 6th its still hard to turn the bike over with the rear wheel, even with the plugs out.

i recommend, if you are doing it this way that you drop the oil cooler and remove the front cam cover, just to be 100% sure the cams are in the right position.

partly what causes the problem of these caps sticking is
A) the aluminium plug corroding into the ally casing, causing a galvanic weld.
B) previous owner using silicon sealer on the plug - totally unecessary! use grease!!!
you only have to nip it up on the o ring - there is no need to do them up 300ft/lb lol

what you could do is take off the small timing mark plug.
turn the motor over until you can see a (any) mark on the flywheel line up with the 9 o-clock pointer in the timing hole.
then remove the casing, without moving the position of the motor, and make a pointer to line up with the mark on the flywheel.
you will still need a new timing casing gasket though, which just happens to cost more than a new flywheel plug lol.

[Pyro]

You are right of course Benny, i'd still rather do it the "right" way, that plug will meet its fate on monday and then its back in the game.

[Pyro]

Ive done a few cam belt / chain jobs over the years and it still scares the crap outta me, no room for error for sure!

[VTRDark]

You are right of course Benny, i'd still rather do it the "right" way, that plug will meet its fate on monday and then its back in the game.

I like the sound of that. That's the way me think

I just had a thought on what may be an easier way of removing the cap after you have rounded it off, drill 2 holes and use the spanner for removing the nut on an angle grinder?

never had the problem so couldnt say if it would work or not but maybe worth a go.

That's a really clever idea.

Have Fun

(:-})

[Pyro]

Carl thanks mate! And thanks for quoting that i missed it first time round, that IS a good idea.. Ive not got a grinder, or a wrench for it but my dear dad has,

[tony.mon]

Persuading it with a hammer and punch is easy enough once you've either seen it done or done it yourself.
The knack is to hit it in the right place; a few mm in from the edge, drive the punch straight-on until you've got a proper dent, then drift at an angle in the correct direction and it'll shock loose.
If it won't come loose after a few taps, start another dent 180 degrees away, and use alternate taps.

The reason for being three or four mm in is that the edge is unsupported, three or four mm in is directly above the main threaded section.

Next workshop day we need to video it and post up on Youtube as a "how-to".

[Jonesey]

Who's going to be brave and host the next one????

[MacV2]

Who's going to be brave and host the next one????

I would be more than happy to host a workshop day at mine as it happens. 30 mins from Dartford crossing, plenty of space to park & work, just have to sort out a suitable date for everyone. Only date I would avoid is the day of the Grain Carnival, not that I'm interested in that as such but last two years it's pissed down which could be an omen. However there is normally a fun fair on the green, which could be fun I spose. Trouble is I don't know what date that is this year yet. I'll find out & get back to you on that one.

Mac


Edit

Ok just looked it up can't find a date for this year yet but last year was 16th July, I suspect it will be 14th or 21st of July this year so that is/are dates to avoid.