Removing Stubborn Camshaft Cover - Ducati 350

[derek murray]

I'm working on the cylinder head of my Ducati and for the life of me I can't get the camshaft cover off. Any thoughts on what might help free this thing up... without marring it's loveliness.

[Eric Coffey]

It's not just a cover, but also a bearing carrier/tube. Best to tap it out from the other side with a wood/plastic dowel.

[derek murray]

Originally Posted by Eric Coffey

It's not just a cover, but also a bearing carrier/tube. Best to tap it out from the other side with a wood/plastic dowel.

Thank you, Eric

Do I not need to get that cover off to be able to hold the camshaft... so I can get this nut off (see below)? In other words, I'm not sure how I would get at its backside with a dowel with the camshaft in place. Is there another way to get that cam nut off?

Thanks for your patience... this is my first Ducati head tear down.

[javadog]

The first thing that I do, when I'm trying to free anything that's stuck, including bolts, is this: apply heat with a heat gun, then melt candlewax into the joint. You want to get the parts hot enough that the wax wicks into the space between them. This sometimes means that you continue to apply heat as the wax works its way into the joint. If you start seeing little bubbles in the wax, as if air is coming out of the joint, that's usually a good sign that you got it warm enough. This is something like sill-flossing a copper pipe joint, if you know what that is.

I have yet to find something that this process didn't work on. It's vastly more effective than other penetrating oils. Given that there is also a gasket between those two pieces, you should also be able to work a putty knife, or something similar, carefully into the joint and pry it free. Just make sure you don't more the faces of the joining surfaces of the cover or the head.

If the other photo is representative of what yours looks like when you open it up, some serious cleaning is in order.

[Eric Coffey]

Originally Posted by derek murray

Do I not need to get that cover off to be able to hold the camshaft... so I can get this nut off (see below)? In other words, I'm not sure how I would get at its backside with a dowel with the camshaft in place. Is there another way to get that cam nut off?

Yup, it needs to come off.

The cam should be hollow, allowing you to insert a small diameter rod through the center, and tap the cover/carrier out with a hammer/mallet. If not ( or roll pin inserted, etc.), you can try using a rubber mallet on the cover to walk it out (alternating glancing blows from behind) and/or and maybe some sturdy plastic pry tools. You just don't want to damage the mating surfaces. After you get it off, you will need a cam holder tool to get the nut off. You can fab something up if you have the means, but the factory tool is the best option.

If you are doing a complete tear-down/rebuild of the head, there are a couple other tools that will make your life easier (bordering on necessity) like a rocker spring tool, rocker alignment pin, rocker pin puller, etc. I would highly suggest picking up a decent service manual and parts book. Those bevel heads are moderately complex, with bearings, shims, and cir-clips everywhere. Have fun!

[derek murray]

Eric / javadog,

I did manage to get that cover / bearing carrier off... thank you for your help.

I do have a service manual, unfortunately it only details the springer head, not the desmo. I was able to get the cam nut off by sliding a length of steel plate (sandwiched between wooden stirring sticks) through the head, overtop of the rockers. That kept everything locked down and the nut came off easily.

I've stopped the disassembly... until I get some proper tools and a better manual. Time for a bigger tool cabinet, I think...

Again, thanks.

[Eric Coffey]

Originally Posted by derek murray

Eric / javadog,

I did manage to get that cover / bearing carrier off... thank you for your help.

I do have a service manual, unfortunately it only details the springer head, not the desmo. I was able to get the cam nut off by sliding a length of steel plate (sandwiched between wooden stirring sticks) through the head, overtop of the rockers. That kept everything locked down and the nut came off easily.

Good deal!

Although, you may have dodged a bullet with your cam-lock method.
Not sure I am correctly understanding/visualizing what you did to lock the cam there, but you generally do not want to use any sort of "wedge" as you run the risk of breaking stuff (pieces of the head casting, etc.).
No harm no foul though if you got it off without issue, and saved some coin in the process.

You should be able to find some (more helpful) books/manuals for the older bevel drive singles as well.

This is an excellent resource:
DUCATI SINGLES RESTORATION

These may come in handy as well:
DUCATI SHOP MANUAL
DUCATI CLYMER WORK SHOP MANUAL

Also, if you haven't already, you might want to sign up here and poke around a bit:
Ducati Singles Main Discussions

[derek murray]

Originally Posted by Eric Coffey

Good deal!....

Thanks Eric,

I do have the Clymer book and will get the others you have suggested.

I do visit the motoscrubs forums, regularly (almost as much as I do here). The method I used to secure the camshaft was suggested by one of the "senior" members there... However, in hindsight, I agree and may have dodged a bullet... proper tool is on order.

derek