Head Gasket ?

[pathfinder]

I think I screwed up, the little metal gasket with the metal tabs that point down toward the crank. I put it in under the head gasket not on top. Unfortunatly I didn't figure out I screw up until I had the head back on with the cams timed. Ready to put the valve cover gasket and saw in the Yamaha manual that it goes on top of the gasket.

My question is should I take it back apart and trash all the gaskets or will it hurt anything by having it underneath? Seems to me it will take up the same amount of space

Yeh I know read the directions first but I had forgotten it all together and had yamabond all over both sides of the head gasket already. At the time I could not find it in the book so I took a chance, too bad it was the wrong one.

[prometheus578]

Pathfinder,
Here's the deal, from what I've been told. That gasket is the cam chain guard. It was only used on the original engine. I checked the yama microfiche, and in the tech section it said that it was discontinued. New gasket sets don't include that piece, and the new head gasket is wider in that area to compensate for it's vacantcy. With new gasket sets.... LEAVE THAT PIECE OUT!!!!
Why do I emphasize that? Why did that little protruding piece of the cylinder crack and fall off, right above the cam chain tensioner on my 1100F. Yeah, I know... dummy me. They put that note in the micro fiche, but not in the service manual, nor my Clymers nor Haynes. Took apart, JBWelded, Permatexed, and put it all back together, though not really tightening that 10mm nut underneath. Held for two years before starting to leak. Need to pull the cylinder and get it welded back in place, as soon as I can clean my garage to get to my bike. Compression is good at 50,000, and no smoking, but should do rings while I'm in there. I didn't Yamabond, so just reused the gasket. Since the gasket was only flattened, and not stressed by heat or anything yet, I'd see if I could get the Yama offa it and reuse. If I'm not sadly mishapen... the design of the headgasket... the cam gasket fit inside the cam hole cut in the gasket. Placed on top, or underneath the head gasket, would constitute a double thickness in that middle area, hence, my cracked piece. If you're double thicknessed and lucky enough not to have cracked something, I'd remedy the situation before firing the engine and subjecting it to heating and contraction.
Any of you "Old Timers" out there encounter this?

[MartyA]

A long time ago I had to take the top off when my BIL dropped the new cam chain down in. When I replaced the head gasket, I went to the Yamaha dealer, he said to use the replacement head gasket, not the OEM, and to leave that little tabbed thingie out. The replacement head gasket doesn't have any place for that tabbed thingie to fit anyway.

[TopCatGr58]

When I put my big bore together, it came with an aftermarket gasket, no cam chain insert. I had it all together, and then discovered I had a bent valve(no compression), had to pull it all down, thankfully before I had fired it up. Just put it back together after fixing the valve, retorqued, and then retorqued after cycle of full operating temp and cool down. No problems!!!!

I'm surprised about using Yamabond on Headgasket, but whatever the manual says, I put mine in dry!
T.C.

[pathfinder]

Manual didn't say, stupid me I listened to a supposed Yamaha mechanic. I know big mistake. Shoot me now and put me out of my misery. Tried to take it apart to remove the cam chain insert, not gonna happen, that stuff really sticks. No amount of beating w/2lb rubbger mallet and cussing would move it. Guess I'll have to find out the hard way. Hopefully the Yamabond #4 that I shouldn't have used in the first place levels it out so it won't leak nor warp the head.

[MartyA]

Mine went in dry also.

[Dennyz]

Pathfinder,

I know it means more money and time (and frustration), but do it right. A blown head gasket sucks.