K241S Rebuild

[rmaynard 16,332]

What is at the top of the list of 10 things men DON'T do?

1. Reading the instruction manual.

2 through 10 doesn't matter if you don't do #1

I finished my K241S rebuild yesterday, and it started without a hitch. It ran like a charm. However, when I reread the manual to see if there was anything that I missed, I felt cold chills go down my spine when I read the following line.

"install the valve springs (close coil to the top) ".

What? I didn't know that the springs where directional. I honestly don't remember reading that. Oh yeah, men don't read instructions.

So now I won't be able to sleep until I know if I put them in right. So it's off to the garage to pull the breather.

Verdict...up-side-down. Going to have to pull the head, remove the springs, and put it back together right. I think I will get new valve springs while I am at it.

Moral of this little story...read the instructions, ALL OF THE INSTRUCTIONS.

New head gasket $10.00, 2 valve springs $14.00, learning to read the entire rebuild manual, PRICELESS.

[dclarke 4,082]

I've done things like that Bob, :thumbs:

[WH Raider10 17]

A quick question: Is it correct that the keepers go on the valve faced with the narrow piece of the keeper faced up? (like a piramide...)

:thumbs:

[Duff 206]

Bob, I'll bet if everyone here were to 'fess up, you'd find that most if not all of us have done the same thing. RTFM is only looked upon as a sign of weakness by those who haven't - yet - busted something!

Duff :thumbs:

[Anglo Traction 761]

Sad thing is , I work from Manuals whenever they are available, and I nearly screwed up by not reading it properly !. I used the Example Timing settings on an H60 Techy and realised after I put the Flywheel and Pull Start back on . I won't mention which Gender was distracting me at the time

A quick question: Is it correct that the keepers go on the valve faced with the narrow piece of the keeper faced up? (like a piramide...)

Yes P.J that is correct . Taper towards the Valve Head. The spring pressure acts against it.

[rmaynard 16,332]

A quick question: Is it correct that the keepers go on the valve faced with the narrow piece of the keeper faced up? (like a piramide...)

Yes, that is correct. As the spring pushes down the keepers get wedged tighter into the lower retainer.

[can whlvr 994]

so as some of u know i too just finished a 241 rebuild,i DIDNT read that either about the springs,there is an up and down on the springs??and i have only ran her for about 1/2hour,could i have damaged anything and will i need a new head gasket if they are wrong,which will be the case with my luck

[rmaynard 16,332]

I replaced the head gasket just to be safe. Probably didn't need to since the engine had only run for a total of about 20 minutes.

Can't see where any harm was done by having the springs inserted wrong, but I really can't say what harm could come about by not changing them. Maybe a seasoned rebuilder can enlighten us.

[JC 1965 1,532]

:thumbs: Manuals can be very helpful at times and other times they can drive you crazy!! :thumbs:

[WH nut 553]

I use the books so I have a flat spot to sit my beer :thumbs:

[WH Raider10 17]

Thanks for the help Richard and Rmaynard! :thumbs:

[dgjks6 8]

I read that before I put my springs back on. I have asked every question and never asked about this. I could not find a "closed end". Both ends looked the same to me. Anyone got any pictures of the difference?

[can whlvr 994]

i dont remember a difference either,hope someone thats a rebuild pro can help

[rmaynard 16,332]

Here is a picture that I took of a spring from my K241.

It's not a "closed end", it says "close coils". As you can see, the coils get closer together as they get nearer the top.

Hope this helps.

Bob

[dgjks6 8]

Thank you.

I studied mine for hours before I put them back on and couldn't tell the difference between the ends. I hope I got them on right.