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Not looking good in the plug hole

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Old Sep 20, 2015 | 12:21 AM
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Default Not looking good in the plug hole

Bought a USB endoscope/boroscope to check my piston tops for carbon buildup.
Instead I found marks on my rear piston and cylinder wall. The piston mark looks like the valve is hitting, in the first picture. The second pic the cylinder wall has a similar shape mark. The front cylinder & piston have no marks. It's hard to tell which way the camera is pointing.
So I'm wondering if a ring broke, or somehow the cylinder wall failed.
I did a 95" build about 9k miles ago bike runs ok. Has run hotter then when it was a 88" especially the rear cylinder, which is normal. The mpg is low, 26-28 mpg average. Did a compression check recently, 200 psi CCP.



 
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Old Sep 20, 2015 | 12:46 AM
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Another picture showing both marks clearer.



Might be reflection
 

Last edited by DanDman; Sep 20, 2015 at 01:10 AM.
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Old Sep 20, 2015 | 08:17 AM
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Looks like you didn't have enough valve to piston clearance. The relief should of been laid back some.
 
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Old Sep 20, 2015 | 08:26 AM
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Are you sure your timing is on? That mileage is awful, and if it is a clearance issue and only in one cylinder, then that's where I'd start.
 
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Old Sep 20, 2015 | 10:32 AM
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Originally Posted by skid_pimp
Are you sure your timing is on? That mileage is awful, and if it is a clearance issue and only in one cylinder, then that's where I'd start.
You may be correct. I have a S&S VFI system on my bike. I constantly have to do a front and rear fuel map merge. Getting a rear cylinder map maxed out code.
I had shop press the cams in the plate, I thought I had lined up the primary cam (front) chain timing marks correctly.
 

Last edited by DanDman; Sep 20, 2015 at 10:41 AM.
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Old Sep 20, 2015 | 11:28 AM
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Think you should pull that rear head for a closer inspection and check your cam installation.
 
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Old Sep 20, 2015 | 11:46 AM
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Originally Posted by GTK
Think you should pull that rear head for a closer inspection and check your cam installation.
I'm planning to do that, making a parts list. I'll post when I tear it down.
 
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Old Sep 22, 2015 | 05:10 AM
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Larger valve in conjuction with a re-surfaced head can do that, along with a large(r) TDC lift cam.
Play-Doh is what we use here to check the clearence to insure that does not occur prior to full assembly.
Scott
 
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Old Sep 22, 2015 | 11:38 AM
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Originally Posted by Hillsidecycle.com
Larger valve in conjuction with a re-surfaced head can do that, along with a large(r) TDC lift cam.
Play-Doh is what we use here to check the clearence to insure that does not occur prior to full assembly.
Scott
I'll do that, I had asked the machinist and a local indy about claying the pistons. I was told that with .510 lift cam's and flat top pistions that there would be no clearance issues. What I can't figure is why the front piston didn't have signs of interference. I do have larger intake valves, .030 head gaskets.
I have partially tore down the motor. Cam's timing marks were lined up, adjustable pushrod were same length, by eyeball measurement.
I'll have the heads cleaned up, and checked at a shop. See if the valves are damaged. Check springs. Have them check for bent pushrods.
Can I use the same pistons with larger valve relief cuts? New rings, and hone the cylinders. Could a stuck lifter cause an interference problem?
 

Last edited by DanDman; Sep 22, 2015 at 12:08 PM.
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Old Sep 22, 2015 | 06:33 PM
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A few more
Front piston





Rear piston

 

Last edited by DanDman; Sep 22, 2015 at 10:42 PM.
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