Here is something to think about; the cam chain is 108 pins or links long, and with time it stretches to about 3/4" longer or about another link from it's original length.
Then it starts to jump, but before that it rattles and bumps against the dampener, center wheel and slipper. Chewing away the items put there to help keep it from moving around so much. The Honda 600 valve system is what is known as "Impacting" the other kind are "Free Running". Impacting means that when the engine is out of time the valves will touch the pistons. In a free running engine they won't. So if your cam chain jumps enough or you break the cam chain, then the valves will touch the pistons (because they will keep moving while the valves will have stopped) and bend the valves. This is a costly alternative. Your engine runs but for some reason it seems to be out of time. My bet is that it is the cam chain. Sure their are other parts of the engine that could cause it to be out of time, but if you have checked all of these and it is still out of time then it must be the cam chain.
A simple check, move the pulley mark to the "T" on the engine case, then move it to the "F" on the case, while watching the cam for movement. (you can open the oil filler cap and use a light to watch the cam) As soon as it starts to move STOP! and look at the where the pulley mark is between the T and the F. If it is at or past the F then the cam chain is finished.
Bill
> -----Original Message-----
> From:
> 2cylinderhondas@yahoogroups.com [mailto:2cylinderhondas@yahoogroups.com] > On > Behalf Of > Matthew Timion > Sent:
> Tuesday, January 10, 2006 9:08
> PM
> To:
> 2cylinderhondas@yahoogroups.com
> Subject:
> Re:
> [2cylinderhondas] Car won't go above 15mph - return and
> report
> I performed the following maintenance:
> 1. fuel
> filter
> 2. spark plugs
> 3. points and condenser (gapped to
> .35mm)
> 4. new spark plug wires
> 5. relocated engine ground
> wire and used smaller wire (previous owner had a monster wire on there > grounded to the wrong spot).
> I tried retarding the vacuum advance a
> little and it started right up, but it died while idling. I advanced the > vacuum advance all the way again and it idled like a kitty.
> Drove
> around the neighborhood faster than I ever have before. I was amazed how > much life was in this little car.
> So in conclusion the fact that it
> wouldn't go above 15mph was probably due to spark or the fuel > filter.
> While I was relocating the engine ground I noticed that one of > the bolts holding the head to the block was loose. It came right > now. When I tried to screw it back in it kept turning. The screw > itself was a little rusty. Now I'm afraid that I'll start leaking oil > there.
> This may be a silly question, but is it possible to fix
> this? Perhaps get new bolts that hold the head to the block (in the > event that all of them are rusted)? Also is it possible to resleeve the > thread?
> Finally, is it possible that the vacuum has been advanced b/c > the chain has just been stretched over the years and is not because it jumped > a tooth?
> Marshall Montchalin
> wrote:
> > It may have jumped chain one or two teeth. My car was off > > one tooth and we knew because it timed all the way back on the adjustment by > > the vacuum advance. Check it with a timing light and let us know. Good > > luck.
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