1979 GS1000 Oil control problem

[Big T]

The experience of many members is to take off the cylinders and replace the base gasket and oil O rings, as taking the head off disturbs their ability to seal.
It gives you something to do while you wait for your head to come back from the shop

[Rijko]

For the price of a new base gasket and orings it would be a shame not to replace them.
Like Ed and Big T said, the probability of the old base gasket leaking
is very high.

OEM gaskets are your best bet for succes.

[Tpalmer1359]

I saved the old engine that I removed as a parts engine, and will practice installing the cylinders on that as I break it down. Honestly I am intimidated by getting the cylinders over pistons as a solo project. A look at head and the cylinders from the old engine is educational. Note how smooth the bore showing almost no cross hatch, and the head combustion chamber has a lot less carbon than the head that is being rebuilt cue to oil control problems.

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[Tpalmer1359]

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Clean chambers showing no oil issues even though the cylinders seem glazed

[Tpalmer1359]

Fresh from the machine shop
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[Tpalmer1359]

Clean and ready to go back on
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[Nessism]

What gaskets did you buy? OEM is best, but pricy. You can often find good deals on eBay though. Whatever you do don't use Athena. They are evil.

[Tpalmer1359]

Wiseco head and valve cover gaskets.

[Tpalmer1359]

More specifically
Wiseco W2711 for the head gasket. Cannot find part# for the valve cover, however it is the thicker more expensive option on dime city cycles.

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[Tpalmer1359]

Correct on stem seals. Both had basically disintegrated corresponding to the two cylinders where oil had coated the valves and gotten on spark plug threads.