Head gasket additives!!

[chilidawg]

Do I still need advise? Or what?? Whoever says he knows it all, is lying!

In the last 30 years. I can say that. The most prolific bike I have worked on has been the GL1100. in fact, I can say that since "moving to the US" (the hardest things, are the easiest to describe, huh!) I have only worked on this motorcycle, but I have done so for the last 14 years.

I may know this bike from the ground up. But!! I need you guys educated input.

Head gaskets!! Additive, or as it comes? I need input from guys that have successfully done the job. the first time I did this job was on an 82 in 84 and all I did was slapped on a naked gasket, IT worked like a charm, but 4 months ago, no such luck.

This time I'm using genuine Honda gaskets which I paid out the @$$ for and I want to do it right. Heads are not warped, neither is engine block and they where correctly torqued.

What did you use? Or not? all input is valuable, I know, Dan likes Copper-Cote and maybe all I did was use too much last time. But it did not last too long. About 2000 miles.

I am including a poll, so we can get a consensus.

 

[chilidawg]

chilidawg » Fri Aug 01, 2014 8:29 pm[/url]":33ift03o]
Do I still need advise? Or what?? Whoever says he knows it all, is lying!

In the last 30 years. I can say that. The most prolific machine I have worked on has been the GL1100. in fact, I can say that since "moving to the US" (the hardest things, are the easiest to describe, huh!) I have only worked on this motorcycle, but I have done so for the last 14 years.

I may know this bike from the ground up. But!! I need you guys educated input.

Head gaskets!! Additive, or as it comes? I need input from guys that have successfully done the job. the first time I did this job was on an 82 in 84 and all I did was slapped on a naked gasket, IT worked like a charm, this time no such luck.

This time I'm using genuine Honda gaskets which I paid out the @$$ for and I want to do it right. Heads are not warped, neither is engine block and they where correctly torqued.

What did you use? Or not? all input is valuable, I know that Dan likes Copper-Cote and maybe all I did was use too much last time. But it did not last too long. About 2000 miles.

I am including a poll, so we can get a consensus.

 

[joedrum]

i do mine dry ... but i do lots of prep with smart hands ... everything just got to be cleane.. use shop vac a lot to get things clean and dry ...

 

[Steve83]

I've done 3 sets now, all using bare, OEM gaskets. No problems that I'm aware of. If I were to use an aftermarket gasket, I might consider the copper coat. As Joe said, flat, smooth, and clean are critical.

 

[slabghost]

Non vesrah or oem gaskets use a light spray of copper coat. Oem or vesrah very clean and dry but don't forget to clean and lube the head bolt threads as per manual.

 

[Jungo]

When I had to make a gasket replacement, I followed the instructions of Joe. I had to deal with this issue like an operating room. Both surfaces must be clean and shiny. Any residue of the previous gasket becomes a problem in the future. Cleanliness is extremely important.

 

[zman]

I like em dry, The torque will be enough but these GL`s use stretch bolts..I wouldn't think of re using stretch bolts on anything else but it seems to be going on in the GL community, there doesn't seem to be replacement bolts available either. I guess I would at least run the bolts into the holes and make sure none bottom or become tight before the heads thickness is reached, then maybe number them to the holes they worked in..

 

[backyardtrouble]

I always make sure the surfaces are clean and dry( head and block), no residues, gunk, no old left over gaskets, and always replace the o Rings for the oil orifices inside and out on both sides. Clean the bolts, clean the inside bolt grooves with some sort of spray cleaner, re-oil the bolts( or as recommended) then just torque them down to the recommended specification. I also run the bike for a while afterwards, get it warm to running temp., let it cool over night and then take the covers back off and re-check the torque again. This is just my personal process and has worked very well for me.

 

[dan filipi]

Interesting thread.
Keep the votes and input coming, all ideas and opinions are great since blown seal here is so common.

Dry or not, I'm starting to think retorque of the head bolts as a regular maintenance routine may be a good idea. Reason is, I got almost a full turn at every head bolt on this used 1200 engine.

 

[slabghost]

Be sure to test fit the gaskets for size. Seems some vendors are selling 1000 gaskets as fitting 1100. They look like they do but the ring around the cylinder is too small. The pistons stand proud of the block at TDC.