XJ1100 head removal question

I'm in process of removing the head, and I have a question. In my manual it says to set the crankshaft to TDC, then it says to remove the four cam sprocket bolts. The problem with this is there is a warning directly below that that says "From this point on do not rotate the cam shaft or valve damage may occur. On the XJ110J, it is not necessary to break the cam chain. However, it can be broken if so desired. It is easier to disassemble the engine without separating the chain." Sooooo great, except when I go to remove the bottom cam sprocket bolts, they're below the lip of the head and down in the case. I certainly don't want to drop them in there, and it says not to move the cam's .... how am I supposed to remove the bottom bolts?

 

I havent had one of these apart that far yet but let me see if this helps you.

The reason you dont want to move the camshafts separately from the crankshaft is that if a piston is at TDC and you push open a valve you can damage it. I know thats probably kind of of obvious, but in saying that lies the answer. So long as your cams are still tied in correct timing to the crank you can rotate them. So this means that you can use the crank to turn the cam chain while you unbolt the sproket at least up until you get to the point of being ready to remove the chain. In other words, use mechanical advantage to get to the bolts until you are ready to separate the mechanical timing.

Then set #1 at TDC and remove your last bolt and dont rotate the camshaft after that point.

Does that help?

 

Maybe. I was kind of thinking the same thing. OR that it means not to move the cams after you remove the sprocket bolts. But why would it tell you set to TDC before removing the bolts if you can't remove the bolts while at TDC? That's why I posted for clarification. Hopefully one of the experts like fitz or Rick will chime in. I'd hate to tear something up on a hunch.

 

Remove the bottom two bolts first then rotate to TDC and remove the other two bolts. You can rotate the engine with one each of the can sprocket bolts off, just don't run it like that. After that you can remove the cams then head.

 

right, like I said, so long as your cams are turning in relation to your crank, its fine to roll it around by hand. Once you are ready to break that mechanical connection you shouldnt rotate Either your crank or you cams. not only do you risk damage, you will have a harder time retiming it.

 

Thanks guys, I'll give that a shot. I just wanted to be sure before I tore something up.

 

Well it's off. It'll probably be a couple days before I can get it torn down and ready for a machine shop. Thanks again for all your help.