1993 G8 Engine problems bent push rod

[willis68nova]

Hello All,

I joined this forum because there seems to be very knowledgeable people on here and I am in need of some assistance. So I acquired a 1993 Yamaha G8A Fleet Classic gas golf cart. All I knew about it was it did not run. Got it at a very cheap price so I couldn't pass it up. When I got it home I began some inspection and found someone else had been working on it....I know oh no here we go....

A little background about me, I am fairly technical with car motors but have not really tinkered with golf cart motors. I am by no means afraid to get my hands dirty even if it is just to learn something. So please be kind.

So the spark plug was removed, and the valve cover was unbolted. Was all I noticed originally. Then I saw the one push rod was missing (I believe it was the exhaust (passenger side)) and the other one was in tact (drivers side, I believe intake). If I am wrong please correct me.

So then I began to investigate why it was missing, then I found it in the front compartment with the spark plug. The rod was bent. So I then began trying to manually push the valves down with my hand, the one that had the rod intact (driver side) moved freely and traveled a decent distance. The one that was bent (pass side) barely moved and seemed to have a hard stop so I could barely push it down.

When I crank the motor over the piston moves and the lifters seem to move properly at far as I can see.

Sorry for all the background but I felt it was needed to get proper help. So here are my questions:

Are these motors considered interference motors, so if it pops timing will the piston bend a valve (or am I totally off base here)?

Should the passenger side valve travel as much as the driver side valve?

I am planning on removing the head for inspection and seeing what I find.

Does anyone have a repair manual for this cart?
or suggestion on what I should or shouldn't do.

Thanks in advance for all your help and knowledge!

[Mike Mac]

I'd move the piston down to bottom, look at piston top with flashlight to see if piston is marked by the valve. Put some oil on top of valve guide, then try to make exhaust valve move by pushing down on it. Trying of free it up. May be bent, but gotta try to free it.

Then reevaluate weather you have to pull the head.

The whole purpose here is to try to free the valve, then get new rod, (or straighten the bent one, for testing purpose), Then put it together, wind it over by hand, to see if it builds compression.

And Welcome!!

[willis68nova]

Mike Thanks for the reply. I will oil it up when I get home and see if I can get it to free up. I know there are many reasons this could have happened, I am trying not to let it spiral into a big mess and lots of money. Do you know if this is considered an interference motor?

Thanks

[Mike Mac]

I don't, Just take it slow, feel and listen as you go. Once in a while, I have read, that a valve can freeze up and do this. So hoping, yours is one of those times, and no real damage!
Maybe the big guys will be here to help soon!!

Quite posable its not getting oil to the top of the motor, and thats why this happened. Exhaust valve got to hot.

You got a good car tho. But need to post pictures!! Or Jim will be all over you!! Might as well start right now!! Right guys??...

And I want to see your Nova!!

[willis68nova]

Man that would be awesome! Thanks for slowing me down before I possibly made it into a bigger project. I will take it one step at a time.

[willis68nova]

Let me see what I can get together picture wise.. As of now the nova is nothing special, it is my "baby" though. I have had it since I was 15. Problem was once I got it running everything else suffered and it kept it's primer look. I hope to one day get it fully complete. Here is a short youtube vid of it: HERE You got to love the chatter of a solid cam.....ha

and a racing youtube vid Here

Like I said nothing special but she does run and we have fun! I also got a 69 caddy coupe deville convertible. That is my cruiser and summer fun vehicle. I will get some pics to you! Thanks again.

[Mike Mac]

ALL RIGHT!! Nice run!! Just a little at a time! You'll get it done!!

[willis68nova]

So I threw some oil into the head. Still was stuck. I was able to tap on the valve (not directly) and it broke free. Now it is moving freely. From what I can see through the spark plug hole the piston looks ok. So now I will try to straighten that rod and see if I can get it running to see what if any other issues I have. More to come. Thanks all!

[willis68nova]

Here are some pics. It needs a good cleaning once I get it running and will need minor body work....

Pic 1

Pic 2

Pic 3

Pic 4

[Mike Mac]

Car looks like it just needs some TLC. But you will like the G8!!

Sure you know this, but after it starts and runs, you don't want to leave that rod in there.

And I think the motor is not getting oil up to the top, (rocker galley). Need to put a piece of clear tubing on the oil line going up the back of the motor to the rear facing port on the valve cover.

Smallblock says the oil port can get clogged down by the crank. One fix may be to blow air back through the oil line, into the crank case. But you need to take off the oil fill cap, cover that with a rag and then blow air through the oil line to clear any gunk out of the port. Hold on to the rag at oil fill cap or you will have an oily mess to clean up!!