Getting back at it with some questions.....

[kirmit77]

OK! I have finally completed this semester of school and im GLAD its over with!

Well no I can finally get started back on the bike again because im so close yet so far to finishing.
I bought a set of jugs and pistons from andreas... they look good but i dont think that the rings are in spec....

WHAT TO DO?!?!?

also, when i put all of the covers back on with the new gaskets, should i also RTV everything??


THANKS LIKE ALWAYS GUYS!

[DGXSER]

I am no expert on rngs and such, but if it were me and the gap is tight, I'd file the rings a bit to open it up. If the gap is to big, well, time for new rings I would think. Some of the more experienced engine builders will have mroe for you I would suspect.

As to the RTV, there are several here that swear by using it instead of gaskets. I am certain it works (provided you use the correct RTV for that use, oil or fuel) however I hate cleaning that gunk up when you pull something apart, so I prefer to use just the gasket as the motorcycle engineers intended. JMHO.

[CatatonicBug]

I was always taught that you should ALWAYS put some kind of sealant on a gasket that will be blocking a liquid leak. I did put my transmission back together after the 2nd gear fix with ONLY the RTV on all 3 covers, and it has worked very well. I used a metal toothbrush to clean all the gunk off first, then cleaned the surfaces with brake parts cleaner to be sure there was no oily residue. If you squeeze a nice small bead all the way along the surface, then press the pieces together without tightening them for an hour, THEN tighten them down, it should work for the other places as well. JAT.

[Ivan]

I haven't bought a gasket one for my XS. I use silicone and permatex type a. The type a is good for places where fuel will come in contact, silicone for anything else. The only place on the bike I would not use form in place gasket material is the head gasket.

[kirmit77]

more input

I need more input on the RINGS!!!

Thanks for the gasket stuff. I have the complete set but was wondering if I had to use the gasket plus rtv???

[CatatonicBug]

IMHO, I would say that yes, you need the RTV with the gaskets. Unfortunately I am no help with the rings.

[TopCatGr58]

Hey Kirmit,

A recent post told the specs for the top end, ring end gaps, etc.. Unlike what Marty A posted about this, it's kinda hard to measure the ring end gap with the rings ON the pistons and in the cylinders , CAREFULLY take the top ring off, and put it INSIDE the cylinder and THEN measure the ring gap.

You'll also need some fancy bore calipers or such to measure the diameter of the bores, check for roundness and wear limits, etc.!!

Did Andreas tell you how many miles were on the engine that the parts came from?

I don't remember the condition of your old engine/pistons/rings/jugs, so I don't know what problem you were trying to fix with the new/old jugs/pistons? If the ring gap is small and well within spec, then you might be able to do a light hone and put them back in and be okay!?
T.C.