New Mods, Ready for first startup.... questions??

[cerberus]

New member, long time lurker here. I finally bought a computer and moved into the 20th century (although I do realize it's now the 21st).

Anyway... I own a 2000 400EX in which I have just installed a new Weisco 11:1 piston (86mm = .040 over, or 406 cc), and a Hotcams Stage 2 cam, in addition to my Pro Circuit T-4 and K&N.

As a fairly adept but somewhat fumblefingered (is that a word?)mechanic, but by all means no expert (first bike was a used 1984 200X, when I was 13 in 1986). Times have changed and I certainly have a lot more money invested in this, but thinking this would be no problem, I shot from the hip without a manual. Things have gone pretty good so far, but I do have a couple questions.

1st - cam chain tensioner..... when reinstalling, I loosened the middle bolt, set the adjustor at its most loose setting, tightened the top and bottom bolts, and then let the adjustor out until I felt it hit the timing chain. Is this the correct procedure?

2nd - At TDC, lobes down, the cam sprocket shows one mark perpendicular to the cases, and two parallel. Am I in time?

3rd - Hotcams says to use plenty of lube. How much is too much (I creamed it on pretty good.... If I were having intercourse it would be a little sloppy :-) ?

Finally, I am starting it up on Valvoline 20W50 raceing (switch to my regular Mobil 1 15W50 after break in), VP C12 race gas, valves set at .005 Intake and .006 exhaust (stock is .004I and .005E, Hotcams says just a little looser than stock), is this in the ballpark?

Any INFORMED replies would be appreciated (although speculation is also welcome... as long as you don't feel guilty about keeping me awake when I have to be at work at 0700).

Thanks for your help,

cerberus

[Pappy]

sounds like you have done ok so far, just giv ethe lil button a stab:D the valves are close ..but i would go out a touch more...say .006 and .007...it wont be too loose and you are gonna have to check them soon anyway. good luck :)

[bklyn400ex]

i just bought my 400 and i dont want to bore it, is this a good mod to do, change the pistion and cam, will there be a big power difference

[BadA$$440]

ya it will make a lil difference, nothing big though. Get an exhaust to open it up.

[YZROOSTINYA]

i wouldnt run straight c12 with a 11:1 try 50/50 or if you can get 100 unleaded.

my bud has a 11:1 and has NEVER run race gas, just 93, no probs and it get HOT here

[RED121572]

I dont have any advice, but let me know how things work out for you. You have the exact mods I do except for that cam...which I might get.

[Houser Cannondale]

sound like you have everything right. only thing for break in i might use a little lighter oil maybe 10w40 because your new motor will have alot closer tolerences and thinner oil will lubricate better. after its broken in you can use 20w50 and it will run good with that. i wouldnt use automotive oil though, ive heard bad things about that id just stick to motorcycle oil. any kind, maxama, klotz. hope it works out good!

lets not get into the oil thing..........use whatever you want but as some reassurance i would say over a 100 people here use 15w50 and noone had problems. and its only energy conserving automotive oils which are bad and mobil 1 is NOT energy conserving

[Houser Cannondale]

yea you can use what you prefer. i was just saying maybe for break in first 10 hrs or so you might wnat to use a little lighter weight oil but after that you can use synthetic if you want. just make sure its broken in.

[Houser Cannondale]

i always used honda 20w50 but im thinking of switching to mobil 15w50 synthetic since so many people use it on here the only thing that worries me is the clutch but seems everybody has good luck with it.