Valve Adjusting & Gasket questions

[Supersport396]

I'm wrapping up my adjustment job.....not too bad only 6500 miles on the bike and I doubt it's ever been done. I shot for the larger end of the spec when possible since they wear into less clearance. FWIW I did notice while checking clearance while on base circle (lobe directly opposite) that if you move the cam a bit in either direction you can get another measured thousandth. Not on all and there is no cam wear that I can see. Maybe that's just the way of the cam grind?

Also on gaskets, do you guys use anything as a sealer or just dry? Looks like the factory installed them dry.

Thanks,
Brian

[Larrym]

I use Permatex Form-a-Gasket (Aviation Grade) on the cover-to-gasket itself and nothing between the head-to-gasket.

I've had to R&R the cover twice since then and the gasket/cover comes off as if it were one piece. (^_^)

Don't ferget to R&R those pesky half moon plugs at least ONCE and use something to seal'em up. (_OO)

I used "ThreeBond 1215" a "Liquid Gasket-Gray Solventless Silicone Sag Type" on those moonies over 9 years ago and it still wurky. (O_O)

[Supersport396]

Mine was stuck to the head pretty good around the bolts. Good point about the half moons.

[Larrym]

In my situation? (O_o)

All mating surfaces were prepped using this video as a guide-

Imma thinkin' it made the difference between having to order/replace the gasket cuz of it sticking to the head or just an easy peasey on/off job (*_*)

[cajun31]

Mine was stuck to the head pretty good around the bolts. Good point about the half moons.

Just make sure you get the gasket surfaces clean as the video Larry attached shows. Failure to do so will result in a leak. I have never used any sealer but what Larry described as just between the cover and the gasket doesn't sound like a bad idea.

[Radioguylogs]

I always have to retighten thel cover bolts 1000-2000 miles after I replace the gasket. It seems the heat cycles compress the gasket a bit and it weeps a little oil. After I retighten it, it's good until the next removal.

[cajun31]

Torque specifications for the Cylinder Head Cover are 1.0 m-kg (7.2 ft-lb)

[bikerphil]

I spray the gasket with pam cooking spray and it won't stick to the head after time. The bolts will usually need to be retorqued after a few hundred miles.

[Supersport396]

Thank you!

[Larrym]

I always have to retighten thel cover bolts 1000-2000 miles after I replace the gasket. It seems the heat cycles compress the gasket a bit and it weeps a little oil. After I retighten it, it's good until the next removal.

This is probly just me bein' me cuz of wut's happened in my life and hows I dealt wit'it. ( •_•)

I've had VERY little success getting gaskets to stop leaking once they've started weeping. (－‸ ლ)

Hence my heroics to get this particular cover/gasket/head to SEAL instead'a oozing oil onto the engine, getting HOT, and then assaulting me and my passengers with that burning eyes/noses experience when we come to a stop. (・´ｪ｀・)

SOoooo..... (ノ_<、)

After the install where I torqued the cover bolts wit' my Harbor Freight wrenchy. (*ﾟｰﾟ)ゞ

I went fOaR a 15 mile ride to get the engine HOT and then re-torqued all of'em again right away whilst evertyhing wuz HOT. （＞д＜）

I mean, I've seen torque specifications that require things being cold and some being hot.... ʅ(°_°)ʃ

FoAr this one it wasn't specifically stated so's I made the choice I did and while hot, I did get a little mOaR turn before the torque wrenchy went "click". ┐(´～｀)┌

No weeping or oozing in the foist place and that makes me happy. (°◡°♡)