First Start from
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Some might think that the only math in the minds of bikers heading to Sturgis revolves around miles per hour and motel rates. When things go wrong, though mathematics is often the culprit. And just as reliably - part of the solution.
Two weeks ago, my engine stuck a valve. When I lifted the rocker covers, I found enough evidence to warrant a complete top-end overhaul. There was plenty of good math involved!
In adjusting the pushrods (those thingies that get lifted by the cam and open and close your engine valves), Jason and I had to figure how many rotations of a 32 threads per inch screw would be required to preload a lifter piston by one-tenth of an inch. A correct solution keeps the valve train running quietly and efficiently. An incorrect adjustment could lead to a piston slamming a valve and me doing this job all over again! How many turns would you make?
Another crucial area involving math is proper torque on the nuts and bolts as we reinstalled the cylinders and heads. You will need to know if you are using inch pounds or foot pounds, and you'll have to be able to convert from one to the other! If your wrench gauge only shows inch pounds, yet the specs call for 12 foot pounds, where do you set the gauge?
Keep in mind that part of rebuilding motors - and anything else you do - involves making mistakes. A mistake is what led me to rebuilding this in the first place, and I'll likely end up rebuilding it again to counter another error. But without those mistakes, and without the gumption to tear a motor apart and "take a wack at fixing it," I'm left with nothing but a mysterious lump of aluminum and a mechanic bill. (Sure, there's math in that, too. But subtraction from the checking account doesn't feel very rewarding)
Don't be afraid of a mistake. Get out there and try something new! Your future may depend upon it.
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