?? much metal ok in gear oil?

[tz375]

I think I missed something in your post. His motor has a good bottom end but can't get the jugs off and you are contemplating trying to split his motor and yours to do a mix and match?

I don't think I'd recommend that particular course of action. Swapping a top end is not hard, but there are three of everything to get in the way. 74 to 76 had a few parts changed including barrels, head and pipes, but they are all physically interchangeable.

Other that weight and the shear number of parts, the biggest issue on these motors is getting the barrels off the crankcase studs. To contemplate doing two at the same time is more than I'd want to try on a short weekend unless there are no other options.

At least you are in Georgia where it stays warm much longer than up here, but I'd probably run the thing and change the oil a couple of times and see what's up. If the flakes turn into shards or get much worse, you know something will have to be replaced at some time in the future - but not until it absolutely has to.

Of course that isn't the "right" answer, but with limited funds and time available, I'd keep it going for a few more weeks and tear it down during the winter when you have more time.

What you could do is to grab that spare motor and strip the top end out and see what's wrong and basically use it as a practice run for when you pull your motor. If it all comes apart nice and easy, and yours is still spitting gear chips, then pull yours. That might get you a few steps further along the line.

[chainsaw]

I think I missed something in your post. His motor has a good bottom end but can't get the jugs off and you are contemplating trying to split his motor and yours to do a mix and match?

I don't think I'd recommend that particular course of action. Swapping a top end is not hard, but there are three of everything to get in the way. 74 to 76 had a few parts changed including barrels, head and pipes, but they are all physically interchangeable.

Other that weight and the shear number of parts, the biggest issue on these motors is getting the barrels off the crankcase studs. To contemplate doing two at the same time is more than I'd want to try on a short weekend unless there are no other options.

At least you are in Georgia where it stays warm much longer than up here, but I'd probably run the thing and change the oil a couple of times and see what's up. If the flakes turn into shards or get much worse, you know something will have to be replaced at some time in the future - but not until it absolutely has to.

Of course that isn't the "right" answer, but with limited funds and time available, I'd keep it going for a few more weeks and tear it down during the winter when you have more time.

What you could do is to grab that spare motor and strip the top end out and see what's wrong and basically use it as a practice run for when you pull your motor. If it all comes apart nice and easy, and yours is still spitting gear chips, then pull yours. That might get you a few steps further along the line.

I didnt explain well. he has a spare motor with a bad top end. Dont know exactly what is bad about it but I would pull the jugs from his then pull them from mine and put my good top end on his good lower end. No splitting of any cases. Just a topend swap. He suggested to hone my cylinders and put on new rings on my same old pistons. I have NO idea on using mics, hones or putting on multiple rings, wrist pins ect..

any clearer?

I am going to ride it more miles and see what I get out of another oil change. The pisser is, it runs pretty darn good. its just that dang 3rd to 4th thats being my downfall!!!

[oldjapanesebikes]

I'd probably run the thing and change the oil a couple of times and see what's up. If the flakes turn into shards or get much worse, you know something will have to be replaced at some time in the future - but not until it absolutely has to

I'm with TZ on this, and would suggest the same thing. Depending on what's wrong with the top end of the engine you are looking at picking up, you could still need to split cases - you just won't know till you look at it.