Gasket kit advice

[brettule]

I'm rebuilding a '79 (or maybe '80) GS400 engine. I've read that it's best to use OEM cylinder head and cylinder base gasket which I'm going to grab, but can I get away with using an Athena kit for the rest of the gaskets?

[GS(X)400]

Ifs its not under pressure...sure possibly i used one on my points cover and that was about it.

But OEM is always best despite the price..

[Nessism]

Someone here reported getting stranded when his Athena valve cover gasket slid out of place and oil started spewing everywhere. I think you could get away with using them on engine side covers, cam chain tensioner, and similar though.

[trevor]

My mechanic is just putting the top end back together on my new to me 1100 using an Athena kit I bought...so will post here how it goes. Fingers crossed.

[Nessism]

My mechanic is just putting the top end back together on my new to me 1100 using an Athena kit I bought...so will post here how it goes. Fingers crossed.

This is what you have to look forward to Trevor. The head torque will fall off quickly after the first couple heat cycles. Making up the torque will squeeze out the gasket. I've posted these photos again and again, but somehow people don't get the message.

[Sandy]

This is what you have to look forward to Trevor. The head torque will fall off quickly after the first couple heat cycles. Making up the torque will squeeze out the gasket. I've posted these photos again and again, but somehow people don't get the message.

What the bloody he11 was that gasket made of Ed? Glad I used OEM on my top end build and sure hope Trevor has better luck than that. Yuck, it looks like play dough.

[Roger P.]

I'm rebuilding a '79 (or maybe '80) GS400 engine. I've read that it's best to use OEM cylinder head and cylinder base gasket which I'm going to grab, but can I get away with using an Athena kit for the rest of the gaskets?

I put together a Seca Turbo a few years ago with an Athena kit and the valve cover gasket began weeping oil almost immediately.

[Brendan W]

Was Independence Day the movie where Will Smith was commenting on Athena gaskets ?