I had my motor all painted and was getting ready to put it back in the frame when I found this:
http://i182.photobucket.com/albums/x.../engine1-1.jpg
http://i182.photobucket.com/albums/x...88/engine2.jpg
A big raised crack. It looks like someone use some kind of JBweld on it. I had bought this used motor from a member and had it shipped to me almost a year ago. The question is, am I screwed?

 

Don't know if you have been screwed but not nice. Damage like that is usually due to the bike being dropped. Luckly not terminal. Options Have it welded or clean it up & patch it up to your standard.
I know it's not nice to find things like that but realistically it's a seconhand motor. Often they are only good for a few spare parts. I suppose the old saying "byer beware" comes into play. Sorry doesn't make you feel any better but at least it can be fixed.

 

It looks ugly and you don't want the casing to separate when you are riding [sm=smiley5.gif]. I would consult someone having the necessary experience.

 

Is that person still an activemember here?

 

That member should have told you of the state of the repair and the fact that they did'nt, well that does'nt bare thinking about. Well onto your problem, like R1000 said, seek advice from someone who specialises in alloy welding. These engines are made ofa mixed alloy, which looks like ahoneycomb biscuit. What was wrong with your old engine?

 

My old motor smoked and rattled till warm. The PO said his engine builder went over the motor and it checked out ok. My biggest concern is the crack is located at the end of a trans shaft. If it houses a bearing I think i'm really screwed. I would have an expert look at it, but I live in a black hole (Utah). This really sucks. I was starting the final assembly of the bike. I'm actually thinking of buying a hole running driving bike just for a good motor.

 

Dont dispair. If push comes to shove, then you can still use the old cases. All that is needed is for you to tansfere the internals and top end to the cases. You might be better ivesting in a new gasket set, and it wont be as bad as it seems. What the difference in mileage between the two motors?

 

Well, I removed the shifter cover and started knocking out the JBweld. It turns out there is not crack. For some reason the JBweld was shaped just like a big raised crack. There is however a small indend where the souldn't be. I think somone just over did the JBweld. Thats the good news. Bad news is the shift drum cam isn't strait, and woln't shift. I don't know if it's just the cam or the whole shift drum itself. I can't imagine how this could have happend. I'm taking the cam of to see whats what.

 

I removed the shift drum cam. Aparently this is really easy to attach wrong. So I put it back on correctly. Then fixed the retaining plate dowl pin that was also screwed up, and put it all back together. No shift. I can get it into 1st, N, and 2nd I think. I guess there are other internal problems. After finding at least 4 clear problems with this motor I have no reason to trust the rest of it. Oviously the "motor builder" that went over it had no idea what he was doing. So if anybody knows of a good running driving 1000f in the Utah area let me know.

 

I'm the guy that sold you the motor. I bought the engine as a spare engine with a race car package, and never ran it in the car, and never took a good look at it. The seller told me it was put together by a local engine builder as a spare engine, and they never ran it either, so it hasn't been run since it's rebuild. I never saw the JB Weld area in the picture. It might be worth running a compression check and/or leakdown, in case the rest of the engine is problem-free. I'll be happy to take it back since it sounds like it wasn't put together well. The engine builder is a well known local builder, so my guess is the shifter problem was a result of a mechanic for the car using it for spares, with subsequent poor reassembly. The other engine we ran in the car was put together by the same engine guy, and we never had problems with it. I'll PM you regarding this. Sorry for your troubles....

Jeff