Hydraulic Tappet Bleeding (Without removing Camshafts)

[Tailchaser]

Bit of a long shot but there was a post on the old forum which I'd book-marked but hadn't got around to copying about a way of removing/bleeding the tappets without removing the camshafts. The title of the topic was "Engine Noise - sitting for many YEARS..." and it mentioned something along the lines of using cable ties to hold the chain, etc in place while moving the camshaft to one side.

https://nighthawk-forums.com/index.php/topic,4877.msg46947.html#msg46947

As I said, just a long shot - if anyone remembers it/has a copy....

Cheers,

Jeff

[mollusc]

I have entire old site archived, including the thread you're asking about.  I will extract the relevant info and follow up later (can't access the forum on my work machine).

[Tailchaser]

Many, many thanks sir - am hoping to fix the "tappy, tappy" noise during the winter hibernation

[mollusc]

Okay, here's an except from the old post that hopefully gives you the info you need:

"You do not have to 'remove' the cam sprockets from the chain [to bleed the tappets manually], and I would strongly recommend that you NOT do so, to ensure that the motor remains in time.  You simply have to move over the cam shaft, and can get to the lifters by doing this one camshaft at a time.  Pull the timing cover off, place the motor at #1 top dead center, and zip tie the crank sprockets to the cam chain.  Then Zip tie the cam chain to the cam sprockets (2 zipties on each sprocket).  Then move one camshaft over and prime the lifters for that cam.  re-install that cam, and do the same for the other cam's lifters."

Personally, I'm having a bit of trouble understanding these directions.  I can't picture what is meant by the "crank sprockets."  And I assume that you probably need to lock the cam chain tensioner down before you start any of this, otherwise you won't be able to manipulate the camshafts at all.

[Tailchaser]

Many thanks for this sir