&*%$# Oil filter!

So I bought my XJ750 with a broken speedometer. Haven't tracked down a new one, I've put about 5-600 miles on it since I bought it. Decided I was going to change the oil, filter and plugs since I really have no idea when it was done last as the odometer doesn't work either. The PO told me he did it recently, but I figured it couldn't hurt(plus I feel I'm getting peace of mind by doing this simple task) Replace the plugs without a hitch, drain the oil no problem(other than dropping my oil pan full of oil in the middle of my nice clean driveway)... Then I go to remove the oil filter! Oh man, Im glad the neighbors couldn't hear what I was thinking. Bolt was pre-rounded by the PO I'm assuming. I have a MAC exhaust coming in the mail soon so I pull the old exhaust off to give me room to work(cake walk, bolts looked rusted and nasty, but came off super easy. Although there were bolts on the headers that prevented me from removing the collars that hold them to the engine I couldn't figure out what these bolts did they're down on the muffler side. So I end up breaking all 4 heads off the bolts, but I got the collars off and the exhaust is trash anyway(unless someone here wants it for the cost of shipping). So I went and grabbed some WD40 and some vicegrips. No luck and 2 hours later I decide to grind off the bolts head. After about an hour I get the bolts head ground off and a new one ordered online. While grinding that off I kindof messed up the part that touches the bolts head, they're are a couple large gouges. Is this going to affect sealing? Any tips on grinding this flush again because of the fins and such getting a dremel into there is WAY to difficult. Also after reading it seems this is a common problem, what should I do to help prevent this from happening again? Just pay attention to the torque? Thanks in advance.

 

The new oil filter bolt should also come with a small o-ring that will help to seal the bolt to the housing. That will help with keeping everything oil tight but it couldn't hurt to treat the underside of the bolt and mating surface with some oil resitance silicone just for some insurance.

 

Dress the threads with "Something"

Thread locker is a choice of many. I use it on occasion.

Permatex AntiSeize Compound is my GO-TO Dressing.
With some many parts that might need to be removed or replaced ... I use the AntiSeize to prevent breaking-off a fastener and ...

suddenly having Rod Serling appear standing before my toolbox, tossing a shop rag aside and begin speaking:

"He thought this little job was going to be routine and he'd have it done, be cleaned-up and presentable by dinner time ... but, when things started snapping-off his sanity became over-torqued and twisted to far; too.

Now, he's become a wretched wrencher. Working full-time to gain his sanity back, trying to get new parts back on his motorcycle, that have been unpacked from boxes that say, 'Made in The Twilight Zone' "

 

There's a very good chance that your new bolt will have a much larger diameter head on it (unless you ordered a NOS item). So, future oil changes should be less of a problem

My new one has (I think) a 17mm head on it. It only makes sense, why would you design a bolt where the threads are bigger than the head? Especially since it holds together a part that gets pretty hot....

 

Those gouges may have enough thickness to be flatened and smoothed out. Since you mentioned the old exhaust, if it is stock I would galdly buy the left muffler. Mine has a crack in it which will someday make it two halves.

 

Here you go ...
Both pieces.
Not gouged, yet ... either!

ebay:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/85-XJ700 ... 0401QQrdZ1

 

It has some marks and stuff, but it's not in bad condition at all. If you want it PM me your address and I'll send you a price for shipping. Just a heads up too. Im going to DC for 2 weeks this sunday so I may not be able to get it shipped out immediately.

And thanks for the heads up Rick, I'm bidding on it now. Too bad I already have a new bolt on order, Oh well I'll just sell off the extras or keep 'em as spares.

Thanks

 

Just trying to make my Quota for the month ...

Getting as many of these Old Baby's out in traffic as we can!

I'm doing everything I can to see that the good folks, in here, get to do some quality, fine-tuned, riding -- this season.

I'll do some Carbs -- Mail Ordered to me ...

But, I'm NOT going to start making "House Calls"

 

Man, that's scary.........not only can I HEAR Rod Serling, I can SEE him tossing aside the rag...and smoking that ever-present cig...."Only...in the Twilight Zone!"

 

Jeepers! Creepy cool stuff Mr. Serling is.