Cam Shaft Bearing Cap Broken

[applesz1]

Damm, curse words that start with F !!!! On the weekend I started removing the head from a motor so I could start rebuilding the head. Undone the bolts holding the cam caps and the number 1 one is broken in half. The cam bearings/ caps are matched I believe. How do I go abour repairing the problem?
Can the cam cap be bolted, torqued in position into position and alloy welded or am I dreaming? Can I replace the cam cap with another if I can source one. HELP!!!! Oh the joys of working on old motors. Cheers Apple's

[Ginger Bear]

Apples,

Don't despair. I believe it's possible to remove the joining 'web' part between the two halves & it will work just fine.
You are right, caps are machined with the head, so technically are not interchangable. I do have a set of caps though, found 'em in a box of spares. You can have one if you want, just tell me which No.

[chrisNI]

They can be welded as you suggest by someone who knows what they're doing - one of mine was welded in about 1980 and has never caused any problems.

[kev edwards]

if broken front to back,just cut the web out and bolt back in,there is a disadvantage though,only one locating dowel on each piece, possible sideways movement on the undoweled ends,welding as Chris says is good with the right man for the job,my own has unmatched caps as far as i am aware,and it runs well so a replacement cap is a viable option.good luck.

[big green bus]

i always thought the caps are matched but you can only buy one size shell and you can buy replacement caps from kawasaki so they cannot too much difference. i have replaced one cap to try it and if worked fine.

[BShaw]

Yep you can swap em, but I would advise using plastigauge to check.

[kev edwards]

This subject has been discussed before,i remember some poor bloke collecting a load of abuse from some site members and Dr Rod over this issue early last year,with the opinion it was not possible,when it was raised again this year,some of the same people had changed there minds,so can it be done? mine dos'nt have matching caps,but runs well and should the afore mentioned bloke be owed an apology

[Davy Doherty]

This subject has been discussed before,i remember some poor bloke collecting a load of abuse from some site members and Dr Rod over this issue early last year,with the opinion it was not possible,when it was raised again this year,some of the same people had changed there minds,so can it be done? mine dos'nt have matching caps,but runs well and should the afore mentioned bloke be owed an apology

Oh Yes i remember that row well... and yes they can be reused on a different engine.and they do sell on ebay.

[Garn 1]

Apples, I have seen many caps welded.

Thanks Kev E and Davy D, for remembering that exchange of opinions. The one I particularly was involved in was..... I propose that it could be done ... ending with... I couldn't believe that a head without cam caps was worthless! Most said the new caps MUST be line-bored. (With respect, I recall Vduk was one of the advocator, dogmatically proclaiming that cylinder heads were useless, unless they have original caps, or line-bored)

Last night, I searched for hours to find that old post.. Somehow, I thought I would be vindicated, by raising this question again.
RegardZ

[PJ]

Apples, I have seen many caps welded.

Thanks Kev E and Davy D, for remembering that exchange of opinions. The one I particularly was involved in was..... I propose that it could be done ... ending with... I couldn't believe that a head without cam caps was worthless! Most said the new caps MUST be line-bored. (With respect, I recall Vduk was one of the advocator, dogmatically proclaiming that cylinder heads were useless, unless they have original caps, or line-bored)

Last night, I searched for hours to find that old post.. Somehow, I thought I would be vindicated, by raising this question again.
RegardZ

Hi Garn, I found it, but thought it was not worth re-posting it, but as jeff saunders said and a few others like Paul Doran, have used other caps, no problems

[applesz1]

Thanks all for your replies. I'm feeling very relieved. I thought I might need a new head complete. I'll try a new cap with plastiguage first to see how I go. Ginger thanks for your kind offer I'll see if I can get one here in Aust first, if not I'll be getting in contact with you. Once again thanks to everyone for all your advice . I'll let you know how I go.
Cheers, Apple's

[ade woollams]

welding is fine just V out the crack and bolt it down on the head and take it in to a welder .
i had mine done when it broke from corner to corner between the center part ,im pushing 510' on the lift.
i should take the bearings out so they dont get cooked

[debben1]

Be carefull if you change the cam shaft bearing caps, the safest method is to strip the cylinder head and then bolt the camshafts in without any followers/ valvesprings, nip up the cam caps on the camshafts and make sure the camshaft spins freely, if they bind you will need to find out where the point of pressure is coming from and releive the pressure from behind the bearing. Regards, Steve

[applesz1]

Thanks Team, This gives me 2 options.
Ginger thanks for the offer of the cam cap it's much apreciated, but I have found a source here in Aust. Garn has the odd one or two in a box and he said I could rat throught it to get one that suits. Thanks Garn!
Steve thanks for the tech advice on how to fit the cap. The head is completly stripped so I'll try the cap exchange first if that fails then I have the option to weld if it all turns to custard.
Once again thanks for all your input.
Unfortunatly I can't play in the shed this weekend as I have to work.
I update you all on how it goes when I get it done. Cheers, Apple's