Cam Gasket Question

[Genuinedrummer]

On my 82 650 I've had an oil leak for some time, but it has now gotten to the point where something needs done. The camshaft cover gasket is protruding in the general leak area as if it were squeezed out. I believe this to be the source of my leak. I'm lookin at the part fiches and there are two options for the cylinder head cover (which is actually the cam cover). One says -F.NO. 104612 and the other says F.NO. 104612- There is a price difference, but I can't discern any other difference. Is it something to do with serial numbers or something like that? Here's a link to one of the sites I was looking at. http://www.shspowersports.com/fiche_...1982&fveh=2128

[Nessism]

It has to do with the number of bolts holding on the cam cover. They added more bolts on the later engines. Look at the diagram on the fishe, and look for the extra bolt on the front, near the cam chain tunnel. Compare to the cover on your bike and order the one you need.

[allojohn]

Go to Real Gaskets
They're a little more expensive but are high quality and reusable.

[Nessism]

Real Gasket valve cover gaskets are too thick for applications like the 550/650 where the tach drive gear is in the cover - the gasket thickness reduces gear engagement. Some members here with 550's found out the hard way.

[allojohn]

You truly are a mine of information Ed, and one of the prime GSResources assets.

[tom203]

It has to do with the number of bolts holding on the cam cover. They added more bolts on the later engines. Look at the diagram on the fishe, and look for the extra bolt on the front, near the cam chain tunnel. Compare to the cover on your bike and order the one you need.

Yes,halfway thru 82 model year on 650, they changed the cover with at least an additional bolt. But I haven't see any yet!

[Genuinedrummer]

Thanks for the info guys... Are there any other seals or gaskets I should/can replace while replacing the cam cover gasket?

[BassCliff]

Hi,

You might want to order a set of "half moons", I think they are called cam end plugs in the parts fiche.

With the Real Gaskets, I think the thickness issue has been resolved. But I would want to verify this with the manufacturer first.


Thank you for your indulgence,

BassCliff

[1_v8_merc]

If you have that Extra bolt in the very front-right nose of the cam cover, you got "true" 82 heads.

If you Dont see that extra bolt up front, you have 81 heads. You need to order the cam gasket for an 81 gs650.

Suzuki had a bunch of 81 uppers left over, in 1982. So they decided to use em all up on some of the 82 bikes.

[BigD_83]

Real Gasket valve cover gaskets are too thick for applications like the 550/650 where the tach drive gear is in the cover - the gasket thickness reduces gear engagement. Some members here with 550's found out the hard way.

I don't want to hijack the thread, but do you know the thickness of a stock valve cover gasket? I have a roll of gasket material I was contemplating using...is a little thinner okay?

EDIT- I've moved my question over to a new thread to avoid completely hijacking this thread.

http://www.thegsresources.com/_forum/showthread.php?t=180637

Sorry for any inconvenience.