camshaft install question

[prodigal son]

I have taken some random measurements of the camshaft before removal I am asking what is the proper procedure to "locate" the cam sprocket after assembling back into the head? Is there a machined location on the head casting to a spot on the cam to locate it? The Honda shop manual has no description or specification I can find. Thanks, Gary

[Tim Allman]

Yeah. The shop manual shows the C72/77 but not the CBs. The only difference is that in the C77 the pistons move together but in the CB77 they alternate. There are two marks on the alternator rotor labelled T and LT. T is top dead centre for the right cylinder and that's the one you need.

There is no mark on the head but there is a circle punched into the cam sprocket on the right side. This mark should be centred, i.e. at the highest point. The crankshaft should be at TDC for the right cylinder.

It's really easy to drop the cam chain so find some copper or other wire and attach about a foot of it to each end. When I have the head on and have pulled up the cam chain I stuff a rag before and aft to keep the chain in place when I remove the wire. Take care with the master link clip too. (Don't ask.)

[prodigal son]

Tim, Thanks for the reply. Perhaps my question was written a bit ambiguously, to say the least. Let me re-phrase the question. How do I locate the cam in the head, laterally, or side to side so the cam sprocket is in alignment with the crank sprocket? I can measure with a caliper from each side of the sprocket side to head casting to "center" it, but I'm just guessing it would be the right way. Is my question a bit clearer? Thanks again, Gary