No compression on one cylinder

[mike_of_bbg]

I think just worry about doing the valve adjustment for now. If you know your valve cover gasket is leaking, well, you'll be replacing that anyway. See if you can get that compression up first.

Oh, yeah - replace that petcock, too!

[rustybronco]

When I check the valves and I find that I need new shims, what is the best way to go about getting the ones needed?

While I am at it would it be worthwhile to replace the lower head gaskets?

I know I have a leak at the valve cover, but I am not 100% sure the others aren't leaking.

Z1... http://www.z1enterprises.com/catalog...50GLT-1980-EN1

Not unless they are are leaking or you end up tearing the cylinder head off.

Replace them when you are 100% sure they are leaking.

[jdion81]

I checked the piston heads as best I could through the spark plug hole and all seem ok. #1 was dry and covered in carbon, 2-4 seemed wet and also covered in carbon, #2 had flakes of the carbon missing. I did not see any damage through the plug hole even after cranking the engine a revolution or two. I have Marvel Mystery Oil in all chambers.

Last night I started degreasing the engine to prevent and debris from entering the internals while I have the valve cover off. I took a couple of before photos and a few after.

Before:

After:

[Big T]

Good start

Get yourself a new valve cover gasket

[jdion81]

Good start

Get yourself a new valve cover gasket

I plan on getting a roll of gasket material at the parts store. I wonder if the wife will get upset at me using her scrap book tools to build a gasket... What she doesn't know wont hurt me.

Any thoughts on soda blasting before pulling the cover gasket? The last thing I want to do is clean the internals because gunk fell inside.

[1948man]

Make sure you follow the tutorial when you adjust the valves. Never rotate the crank unless there is a shim in every bucket. If you take one out, you have to put it (or another shim) back in before rotating the crank.

[Nessism]

Cutting a valve cover gasket is very difficult; it's a large piece with a ton of holes, but the width of the gasket is thin. I'm a big fan of making your own gaskets but not for that application.

[DanTheMan]

I plan on getting a roll of gasket material at the parts store. I wonder if the wife will get upset at me using her scrap book tools to build a gasket... What she doesn't know wont hurt me.

Any thoughts on soda blasting before pulling the cover gasket? The last thing I want to do is clean the internals because gunk fell inside.

Why would you want to soda blast? After your cleaning job it looks fine to me. I bought real gaskets for my 1100 and my 850. They're good for about 3-4 valve shim changes. You'll want to check your valves about every 8-10k miles. It isn't really that difficult of a job.

This is the place to buy a Real Gasket :http://www.realgaskets.com/index.htm

You also should plan on replacing the half moon seals (cam end cap gaskets). I bought mine from Z-1 Enterprises. Good luck, I'm sure you'll find the majority of your valves are too tight.

[mike_of_bbg]

Agreed. The valve cover gaskets are very delicate due to the large size yet very narrow width. Buy one and handle it with care (until it is installed).

Cutting a valve cover gasket is very difficult; it's a large piece with a ton of holes, but the width of the gasket is thin. I'm a big fan of making your own gaskets but not for that application.

[Big T]

I plan on getting a roll of gasket material at the parts store. I wonder if the wife will get upset at me using her scrap book tools to build a gasket... What she doesn't know wont hurt me.

Any thoughts on soda blasting before pulling the cover gasket? The last thing I want to do is clean the internals because gunk fell inside.

Well, your time must be worth nothing, because trying to create the valve cover gasket will take you a long time. And, it will probably leak

They're only about $20-30. Order one from your dealer and it will come in by the time you have the valves adjusted