Rebuild/replace cylinder heads - help

[torpedo51]

Took my bike to the shop today. The idle was low, and I decided not to do the idle adjustment myself. I asked them to check the idle/tps and perform a compression/leakdown test while it was there.
Forward cylinder: 0psi
Vertical cylinder: 125psi

This is surprising since the bike appears to run fine (this is my second paso). Goes up to 90mph no problem and gets 42mpg.

They recommend the forward cylinder has a bad exhaust valve, seal, guide. This explains why the bike requires the fast idle lever to be set at 50% after the bike has warmed up and why the acceleration is just a little bit sluggish.

They estimated $2000 to rebuild both heads. I can't afford it. Maybe I can do some of the labor myself (not the machining).

Can anyone point me to a manual or procedure that can help me with the removal and installation of the heads?

I see several heads for sale on the Internet. I was wondering if there is a difference between the vertical head and the forward head, or if they are interchangeable?

Do I need the special tool to remove the pulleys from the heads?

If anyone has any other ideas to get me reliable heads at a low cost, please let me know. I'm happy to send my heads to a good shop if anyone has a referral.
Thanks!

[paso750]

torpedo, check the FAQs for the link to the workshop manual and checkout also the engine part of the Haynes manual (even though it`s for Monster/SS).

G.

[900streetfighter]

How many miles has it clocked? it might just need shimming. The valve guides are not up to later spec but good for 50,000 miles ditto seats. Both can be fitted by auto engineering firm. Heads are removable with motor in frame. I would get 2nd opinion.
Good Luck, Keith.

[higgy]

check the valve clearances first. Long as you catch it early valves should survive

[ducinthebay]

I agree with Higgy. Have your valves adjusted then make a decision. Sounds like one of the valves is just hanging open a bit for the compression test.

Is this a Ducati shop you are taking your bike to?

Cheers,

[Tamburinifan]

+1 on checking valves first.

I see several heads for sale on the Internet. I was wondering if there is a difference between the vertical head and the forward head, or if they are interchangeable?

Difference, horizontal marked O & vertical marked V.

Do I need the special tool to remove the pulleys from the heads?

2, one f holding pulleys + 1 f the nuts.

[torpedo51]

The bike has 23000 mi.

Yes, its a Ducati shop. All the Duc shops in Los Angeles are crooked. I do have a compression tester, when I get the bike home next week I will verify their opinion.

I think I'll try the valve shimming and adjustment myself. If the valve is "tulipped", I won't be able to adjust the valve into the proper tolerances, correct?

I'm sure one of you has an illustrated procedure that I can follow... I'll look around for it.

Thanks for the info. Wish me luck.

[Duc906]

torpedo51

Have a look at these links,
http://www.ducatisuite.com/maintenance.html
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dIj3nSJG ... re=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3WQY1MRl ... re=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9vzPZ84ZRjU

[samandkimberly]

When you check valve clearance, be sure to check for side play on the valves as well; all 2 valve Ducatis from this period can suffer from bad exhaust guides. If this is the case the moving of the valve on the seat has damaged it; adjusting the valves may cure the problem long enough to sell the bike (tho you'll get real bad karma if you do that) but the valves will go back out of wack soon.

If you can feel pretty much any side play you have a problem. If its bad you'll have to replace the seats & valves; used heads start looking real attractive then.

Sam

[du907]

Give these guys a call and see what they can do for you. They rebuilt my entire engine a couple of years ago. They use to have a special on doing just the heads.

http://www.ducshop.com/default.asp

[higgy]

Being in LA, I'd try Ed Miltch or The guys at California Cycle works or give Steve Allen at Bevel Heaven a call. I'm sure they can help you out.


Ed.............http://ducpower.guzzitech.com/

CAcycle...........http://www.ca-cycleworks.com/

Steve Allen............http://www.bevelheaven.com/

[giocast]

Just as Keith said, and several afterwards - it could just be valve seat recession. Exhaust in particular is prone to this at around that mileage and so clearance becomes non existent. Also agree with what Keith said re: guides:- valves are well located with more than adequate valve guide surface area - shimming is generally the first major issue to need addressing on these (Pantah type) engines.

[higgy]

+1

as long as the valve clearance is maintained no reason to think the guides are bad and seals have nothing to do with it. If the seals go bad you'll be burning oil long before it carbons up enough to waste the guides and your plugs will be fouled constantly.

[paso750]

Even though unlikely you could remove the belt covers and check if all pulley marks aligns correctly just to confirm that the belts are mounted correctly and didn`t skip a tooth.

G.

[higgy]

+1 good point G