Hi all, I'm new here and I have a question.
Is it possible to split the crankcases to access the gearbox on a 3tj without disturbing the cams, head and barrels etc?
Thanks
Neil

No.
You have to remove the head and barrels to access 2 bolts at the base of the barrels.

Hi
Thanks for the reply.
I've just googled some pictures and I think I see the two bolts one either side of the cam chain.
Oh well I better get a head gasket ordered, the engine is running OK at the moment, I'm not going to change anything there, would it be advisable to hone the bores or will it be OK not to, if I'm using the same pistons and rings?
Cheers
Neil

What are you going to ultimately do to the engine, why do you need to split the cases ???

You don't need to hone the barrels if you keep the same rings. Have a look at this thread ... need the end is where I tear down the engine viewtopic.php?f=35&t=38054&p=274374&hil ... et#p274374

I'm actually picking the bike up in the morning so I'll report more tomorrow but from what I can see in the photos the bearing on the shaft behind the clutch has collapsed.
Neil

ouch

With a bit of thought you could probably replace it without stripping the motor.

If the bearing has broken up you will want to get the engine stripped and clean out all the shit!
Also best to replace the bearing on the other end of the shaft too.
Check the gears very carefully as it might have chipped a tooth.

Depending on what you want the bike for you're looking at about £350: 100 gaskets; 100 skimming the head and barrels; 35 cam chain; leaving the rest for the bearings fitting and other bits.
Go to a toy shop to get a small sucker thing to grind the valves - you cab use the Halfords ones but the sucker only just fits.

You can use a T'cat manual for the engine build.

I grind my small bike valves in by putting them back (without the springs) in the head then shoving a piece of silicone tube over the stem and pulling up, I even put the silicon tube in a battery drill and go back and forth with that.
It's much quicker!
Just be sure to get all the grinding paste out!