I've recently re-assembled the top end of my 96 RK. Lightly used stock cylinders, pistons and SE heads. Reused solid pushrods, new lifters and gaskets. Andrews EV27 cam. This darn thing is turning over slow and lets loose an ear splitting squeak. It's not a metal to metal sound. It's more like a whistle. Any help would be greatly appreciated. link is to video.

 

Head gasket?

 

Sounds like air, not metal.

Like a tightly squeezed fart.

It could be anything that holds the compressed air fuel mixture in such as head gasket, cross threaded spark plug, etc.

To verify what is going on, do a compression test on both cylinders. That will at least give you a place to start without disassembling anything needlessly.

Did you happen to take a picture of the cam showing the timing marks before you buttoned it up? I doubt that's the problem but if you took a picture of that and different steps during reassembly it might help us spot what went wrong.

 

That's kinda what it looks like. Pulled the plugs one at a time. Rear cylinder is where the problem is. Guess I'll be taking it apart again...

 

Timing marks were lined up. Plugs aren't crossed. It definitely sounds like a "squeeker", real tight cheeks lol. I need to verify that the timing was set on compression stroke too. I did a static set and the new ignition (ultima) is set close to the same place as the stocker.

 

For starter's those SE heads will boost comp and do you have any info on the bore size and the piston's? Each time I hear it, it appears that it makes the sound after you let of the starter button. Does it do it if you keep cranking it? I suspect the slow cranking is due to higher compression and before you rip it apart I think you should do a compression test. You might need compression releases... And it does kinda sound like a head gasket leak...

 

Saw one kinda like this. Somebody forgot to torque the rear head down right.

Talcum powder in a squeeze bottle, puff it around and between the head and jug.

Crank and see if any powder comes blowing out.

WP

 

It sounds like a head gasket leak from improper torque sequence. Not sure what gasket set you used but it is actually better to follow the re-torquing procedure of the head gasket manufacturer.
my guess is that whoever re assembled the cylinders and the heads went in a crisscross pattern and not the procedure as described in the fsm. There is a specific pattern, sequence.
it is an easy, cost free fix. Just your time.

 

if the bike is cold you can roll up a few paper towels and see where the leak is located. I do like your talc idea better.

 

Thanks for the ideas...

98: stock pistons & cylinders with cometic -0.30 head gaskets torqued by the diagram in the book. The sound will happen if I keep my finger on the button. I'll have to find an adapter for my comp gauge to test.

if I take the rear plug out and hit the starter, no hesitation/squeak. Spins normally. If I take out the front plug and hit the button, the starter struggles to spin the motor and it squeaks.