NC30 Engine Rebuild, Tips and Advice!?

[Cal Walker]

Hi all,

Picked a NC30 engine up the other week with a suspected bottom-end bearing gone on it. My plan is to strip and rebuild it completely but am just wondering a few things:

1) How difficult are these engines to rebuild?
2) Any guides or threads on this?
3) Any "do's" and "don'ts"?

Id like to think I'm fairly mechanically minded, I've done a bit of work to my NC30 but nothing like this, and it will be my first engine rebuild , just got to wait for my hand to come out of a cast first!

Any replies and suggestions on this would be very grateful!

Many thanks.....Cal

[Morespeedvicar]

Hi, the main thing is to take your time, get a manual aswell. Other things, keep everything labled up so you can put it back in the place it came from, take lots of pictures too, start collecting cardboard boxes so you can draw the shapes of the engine cases/covers on and put the bolts through so there all in the right place when rebuilding. And when your rebuilding try to keep everything as clean as you can get it.
Oh one other thing, take the front sprocket off while engine still in the bike will be loads easier.
Cheers
Ian

[NGneer]

what he said.

It is a bit daunting - but certainly do-able if you are fairly handy with the spanners.

A haynes is a must. Be über organised when you are taking it to pieces and try and either keep everything in the right orientation (carbord or foam cutouts are priceless) and label everything. Labels can be just a bit of masking tape, a luggage label or a margarine tub for a collection of small bits. Also some small freezer bags so you can put small components like springs, circlips etc into them and actually fasten the bag to the main component they belong to. For my 2p worth the more anal and methodical you are when stripping it down, the easier and more pleasurable it will be when you are putting it back together.

If you have the luxary of the space I would lay everything out on a bench, or such like, from left to right as to right as you strip (and label) it, so you then have a natural guide of working right to left (along with the manual) when it comes to putting it back together.

You will be amazed how many parts Mr Honda managed to squeeze in there

[Cal Walker]

Wicked guys cheers! I've got a Haynes manual and I also have a official Honda manual for it also so I should be alright with the theory side, sounds like a few good days and nights in the garage then, which I have no problem with.

Many thanks.....Cal

[Morespeedvicar]

Also maybe worth cleaning it before you start taking it to bits aswell, it'll help uncover any hidden bolts and stuff. And just another hint when you start rebuilding it get some assembly lube and put loads on any bearing surfaces, you can use a thin smear of grease but the proper stuff is better.
But if you need any help or get stuck just post up and somebody will help you out.

Good luck and have fun.
Cheers
Ian