Suggestions; Do's; and Don't

[anywhereEx]

Well fortunitly I have my 2002 400ex torn down to the frame right now and am about to do some engine mods. Here is what is done now:
E-Series exhaust, No choke, k&n, ground header welds, I can't remember if there is anything else at this time.


Here is a list of what is on the way:

Ross 416 10.8:1(courtisy of C&D)
Hotcams II
Cosmetic gasket set
Aftermarket oil cooler
Valve seals

I am going to do a leak down test on the valves and possible do a clean up port job.


Is there anything specific to this motor that has to or needs to be done on the 416 kit?
Will there be new valve adjustments with the cam?
Is the ring gap already taken care of?

Any help will be needed but remember that I can not dump a bunch of money in it because I just got a new dodge quad cab on monday(family car:devil)

[anywhereEx]

bump

[YZROOSTINYA]

get a xr head gasker or at least use a 400ex stock gasket


valve clearance is .005 and .006

rings are gapped

[anywhereEx]

Anything:confused: There has to be at least some little tricks to it or some little things that you can do to make it run a little faster without sending it off to a builder

[nick23]

go to baldwin motorsports...that is my tip man

[luvmyex]

I just recived my Ross Piston yesterday.I got the 416(87mm) also10:8-1.The 1st and 2nd rings say they need to be end gaped.I though C@D had sent the wrong piston though.For some reason Ross stamped "88M" on the underside of the piston.So i called and they assured me it was a 87mm 416 piston.I also got the cometic gasket kit.You will still need the o-ring that goes on the base of the cyclinder,and the one thats on the cam chain tension adjuster if you want new ones.Kit doesnt come with those.The directions with the piston seem a lil complacated,lots of things to check and such.I hope i can do this without screwing anything up now!But i cant really afford to pay someone else to do it.

[Colby@C&DRacing]

This is pretty easy to do if you have a manual to guide you through this :) Make sure that you pay close attention to how things come apart ;) ;) As I have tried to tell anyone that has bought a piston kit from me they are welcome to call me during business hours and I will try to walk you through this process :cool: If the cylinder is bored correctly the ring gap should be correct but check it anyway.;)

[jchevy]

Double check the ring gap. I had to gap my standard bore ross piston. Just an fyi. Good luck with it.

[luvmyex]

Colby,maybe you can help me out with my cam also.I got the hotcam II and i have been told to leave the valve clearance stock at.004-.005 and i have also heard to go up to .005-.006 on it.the red card that came with it has a valve lash of.15mm-.20mm.Is clearance and lash the same thing?And those numbers dont really match on my feeler gauge.So im not sure what to do here.thanks for any help.

[anywhereEx]

I appriciate the offer for help colby. WIll you be there for me to call if I drink to many Bud Lights and try to put this entire thing back together. It is only stripped down to nothing:devil

[ChadEXer]

I dont know this from personel experience, but my mechanic says Cometic gaskets suck!!

[anywhereEx]

I have been thinking about cancling them on the order and just running a xr gasket. Does anyone know if there will be clearance problems?

[Silverfox@C&DRacing]

I have used the cometic gasket in my bike for 2 years on my 416 and haven't had any problems :chinese:

[Teufel]

I have used cometic for years without any problems. Don't sweat it. Personally I would have used a Wiseco Piston. JMO :cool:

[anywhereEx]

I've heard alot of good about Ross so I decided to try one.

[Ex'r Marlin]

My mechanic initially used the stock valve clearance when we put the Hotcam stage 2 in. We did not notice the spec. sheet (red card) at the time. After we started it and shut it off several times for break in, we noticed the card and quickly changed it to Hotcams recommendations... I am glad we noticed the specifications, what a noticeable difference!:)

I too have the Cometic gasket... No problems to date!:cool:

Good luck!

[luvmyex]

Marlin,did your card say .15mm-.20mm? if so what did you sat it at?.005-.006???nobody can seem to answer this question for me.

[anywhereEx]

I have been wondering the same thing. I am kinda hearing 2 diffrent stories

[Ex'r Marlin]

Originally posted by luvmyex
Marlin, did your card say .15mm-.20mm? Yep... My red card for the Hotcams stage 2 read:
Intake valve lash: .15mm (.15 divided by 25.4 = 0.0059)
Exhaust valve lash: .20mm (.20 divided by 25.4 = 0.00787)

In short, we used .006" for intake, and .008" for exhaust.

Note: FYI... My red card has a Remarks column that states: LASH SET COLD.