Timing Plug Removal

[Guest Thainglo]

Seems like this shouldn't be too difficult, but I am having a terrible time trying to loosen up the timing plug on my 83 VR. Any tips? I tried fitting a nickel into the slot, fit well but ended up bending the nickel instead of backing the plug out.

 

Appreciate any help!

[Condor]

Seems like this shouldn't be too difficult, but I am having a terrible time trying to loosen up the timing plug on my 83 VR. Any tips? I tried fitting a nickel into the slot, fit well but ended up bending the nickel instead of backing the plug out.

 

Appreciate any help!

 

Instead of a nickle you might try a large screw driver after rounding off the blade to fit. perfably with a square shaft so you can get a cresent on it for leverage.. If the slot is the same size as those used on the bottom of a camera, it's actually designed to take a 100¥ coin. I think it's a jap joke on the american public....

You might also try heating the plug.... lock tight...

[Guest Thainglo]

Instead of a nickle you might try a large screw driver after rounding off the blade to fit. perfably with a square shaft so you can get a cresent on it for leverage.. If the slot is the same size as those used on the bottom of a camera, it's actually designed to take a 100¥ coin. I think it's a jap joke on the american public....

 

You might also try heating the plug.... lock tight...

 

I've never been able to figure the heatin idea out. Wouldn't heating the plug cause it to expand in the hole, thereby further tightening it? Or would the expansion help break it loose? I've got a heat gun, would that do the trick or am I going to need a torch?

[Condor]

I've never been able to figure the heatin idea out. Wouldn't heating the plug cause it to expand in the hole, thereby further tightening it? Or would the expansion help break it loose? I've got a heat gun, would that do the trick or am I going to need a torch?

 

If there's lock thight on the thread heat will cuase it to soften. A heat gun shoudl do. Just don't over do it....

[BradT]

I've never been able to figure the heatin idea out.

 

I believe that they both expand but cool differently so it breaks the crap that is holding the threads together. Depending on the crap the heat helps loosen it up.

 

Why do you need to get in there, can't adjust much.

 

BRad

[rhncue]

I don't remember how I got mine out as it's been awhile. However, when I did I did it as I wanted to see if the timing was changing at different rpms. I put a timing light down there and when I started the engine about a quart of oil immediately hit me in the face. So much for that venture.

 

Dick

[Guest Thainglo]

I believe that they both expand but cool differently so it breaks the crap that is holding the threads together. Depending on the crap the heat helps loosen it up.

 

Why do you need to get in there, can't adjust much.

 

BRad

 

Wanted to check valve clearance while I had the head covers off. I'm going to try the heat gun this morning, if no luck then the valves stay the way they are for now.

[BradT]

Wanted to check valve clearance while I had the head covers off. I'm going to try the heat gun this morning, if no luck then the valves stay the way they are for now.

Just make sure the lobes are not touching when you check clearance. It does not matter where the timing is !

 

Good luck

 

Brad

[Dano]

Just make sure the lobes are not touching when you check clearance. It does not matter where the timing is !

 

Good luck

 

Brad

 

 

Yep, valve clearance is valve clearance.

 

Same

 

Dan

[mbrood]

I used an old drum brake "spoon" with an adjustable wrench near the plug (on the blade of the spoon) and it was STILL a bear but it came loose. Expect 20 years of baked on oil and the small bit of lock-tite originally applied did a good job of sealing it up.