Head on Valve seals

[650mark]

head gasket: oem vs aftermarket

++1 on dan's recommendation. when I rebuilt the engine in my sr500 I used an aftermarket head gasket recommended and sold to me by an "sr500 guru". yes I correctly installed it and reassembled the engine, that damned gasket let go 300 miles later. the engine repairs cost over $400 because of that cheap $30 head gasket, the oem Yamaha was about $40. lesson learned.

[Eastcoaster]

Off with the Head

Looks like it's off with the Head This is new grounds for me and a bit nervous about the job. Is this what I am looking for and a good price?

http://www.ebay.com/itm/YAMAHA-XS110...item2587e3f2cc

[skids]

Well, if all you want is a head gasket, yes. I personally would get a gasket kit will all orings, seals, and gaskets. The one I got years ago even had head pipe crush gaskets and the cam chain tensioner gasket.

[MaximPhil]

I have found an Independent shop that would swap them for $2 a shim. Also keep in mind that I believe the Ford Taurus and another car brand that escapes me now, also use the 29mm shims. It may be they find them less rare and valuable since they are for cars and not bikes.



A GL1000 James. See what happens when you join the FOXS group?

Hi Don,
To clarify: The Ford Taurus SHO of quite a few years ago now 1994?
Had a V8 made by Yamaha that used 29mm shims.
Phil

[DGXSER]

Yep, correct Phil. Thanks for clarifying. BTW, it is a Yamaha engine in that car.

[GLoweVA]

Well, if all you want is a head gasket, yes. I personally would get a gasket kit will all orings, seals, and gaskets. The one I got years ago even had head pipe crush gaskets and the cam chain tensioner gasket.

+1 on getting the whole gasket kit.
For the price, you get all the gaskets you may ever need and even if you don't use them, then you would at least have a template to cut your own for future fixes too.
I've seen the whole kits on ebay for under $100.
I've also seen just the head gasket for $30-40 also, but you need to be patient and wait for a good deal to come along for those.

[LoHo]

My experience with valve oil seals:
Take the head off, remove the shim and bucket:


Compress the spring over the valve to get at the two keepers wedged on the valve stem:



Pull the old seals off:


Carefully push the new one on. I found a multi-screw driver w/o a bit worked well.

[motoman]

Hi Don,
To clarify: The Ford Taurus SHO of quite a few years ago now 1994?
Had a V8 made by Yamaha that used 29mm shims.
Phil

That SHO option was a V6.........and yes, used the same shims.