Gt550 right cover engine cover leak

[timfrommn]

Hi, I have a 72 Gt550 Indy that is dripping oil from the right engine cover gasket. The manual suggests the cover can be removed without removing the contact points plate, so I assume the breaker camshaft must come off with the cover. If so, are there steps that must be taken so as not to mess up the camshaft timing when reinstalled?
Thanks

[Alan H]

No camshaft on the 550, it's a two stroke!
Drain the oil out first - it's the VERTICAL stud under the gearbox, NOT the angled one - that's the gearchange dêtent. All easier with the exhaust off, especially if it needs a good clean underneath, but it's possible to leave it on. You may need to slacken the cylinder/exhaust studs & drop the rear exhaust mount slightly, depending on model & exhaust.
You'll need the rear brake lever off next and then take all the case studs out. The cover comes off easily (usually!) If you have a length of wire ready, you can hang the cover from the handlebar.
When replacing the cover, the points cover needs to be off so that you can 5slightly turn the points cam to allow the groove in the 'cup' behind the points and the 'pin' on the end of the crankshaft to align. You may need swear words to assist......
Don't forget to replace the oil with 10w40 or 20w50 mineral oil. Synthetic will make the clutch slip if you play hard.

Where are you based? There may be someone local who can assist.

[timfrommn]

Alan, Thanks for the detailed instructions. This is particularly what I was looking for:

the 'cup' behind the points and the 'pin' on the end of the crankshaft to align

It wasn’t clear to me how the points cam aligns with the crankshaft.
Tim

[Alan H]

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