GS1000 Base Gasket Replace. w/ Pics

[psyguy]

What was that wrench on the cam for anyways?

to keep the cam shaft in place while undoing the bolts at the journals, so the camshaft doesnt tilt, i suspect

[chef1366]

to keep the cam shaft in place while undoing the bolts at the journals, so the camshaft doesnt tilt, i suspect

Bingo............

[Billyboy]

Bingo............

Yeppers. The manual recommends doing that.

So, What should I use to bond the base gasket to the case and cylinders? I'm not there yet, but I want to get it in advance. Anything for the head gasket?

[waterman]

When I rebuilt my 650 topend, I oiled the base gasket and installed the head gasket dry. I think you could use a little sealer on base if desired, but keep head gasket dry, it should compress on final head torquing and seal without anything.

[Big T]

Yeppers. The manual recommends doing that.

So, What should I use to bond the base gasket to the case and cylinders? I'm not there yet, but I want to get it in advance. Anything for the head gasket?

Base gasket - grease it with a light coat of lithium

Head gasket - Do not ever put anything on your head gasket

Be sure you don't forget the egg shaped "O" rings at the back corners between the cases and block
Plus the one around the cam chain well between the head and block

[psyguy]

Base gasket - grease it with a light coat of lithium

Head gasket - Do not ever put anything on your head gasket

i second this

[80GS1000]

Thanks for all the detailed pics. I'm about to tear down the top end of my 1000 too and the pictures sure are a big help.

[Billyboy]

Thanks for the help on the gaskets guys.
80GS1000, Glad I can help you. I feel I can trudge on through this without a whole lot of fear, being that I've got a spare engine if I screw up too badly.:?

I studied up on the manual this morning while the kids were watching cartoons. Everything looks fairly simple. Which makes me suspicious.

Now I've got to get a torque wrench. For some of the bolts, like cam bearing caps, 7 f/lbs is not a lot.

Should I get an inch pounds wrench and multiply by 12?

[Big T]

Thanks for the help on the gaskets guys.

Now I've got to get a torque wrench. For some of the bolts, like cam bearing caps, 7 f/lbs is not a lot.

Should I get an inch pounds wrench and multiply by 12?

The inch pounds is what I use. You'll probably find it difficult to find a torque wrench that goes from 7-90 ft lb, so you'll need two of them anyway.

[psyguy]

Should I get an inch pounds wrench and multiply by 12?

in this part of the world the torque wrenches often come with a conversion chart. there's also one in my manual.

for the cam cover bolts you can tighten the bolts with a spanner only. i would describe it as "not very tight" (lol). saves you money for the second torque wrench. just make sure all the bolts are equally tight. if there's any leak at the gasket, just tighten the bolts a wee bit more

[Nessism]

I see no reason to grease the base gasket. Greasing is an okay idea when you are going to be back into that area of the engine in the near future (such as the valve cover), but I'd much rather use a light glazing of flexible sealer on something like a base gasket vs. grease since you are not likely to ever visit that gasket again.

[Suzuki_Don]

I see no reason to grease the base gasket. Greasing is an okay idea when you are going to be back into that area of the engine in the near future (such as the valve cover), but I'd much rather use a light glazing of flexible sealer on something like a base gasket vs. grease since you are not likely to ever visit that gasket again.

What type of flexible sealer would you suggest. Can you give me a brand name so I can look it up on the web and get something similar here in Oz. Is it a silicon base like Silastic or a Hylomar type product. I am doing the same job on the base gasket in the next couple of weeks. My head is away at the machine shop having the seats done and repairs done to the camshaft retainer bolt holes.

[waterman]

Only reason I oiled my base was that in order to slide pistons back into cylinder bores, I slopped excess oil all over gasket. Was going to install dry but got oiled in process. Keep this in mind since you will need to lubricate rings to install.

[Nessism]

What type of flexible sealer would you suggest. Can you give me a brand name so I can look it up on the web and get something similar here in Oz. Is it a silicon base like Silastic or a Hylomar type product. I am doing the same job on the base gasket in the next couple of weeks. My head is away at the machine shop having the seats done and repairs done to the camshaft retainer bolt holes.

Hey Don,

The factory manual does not specify using sealer on the gasket so I think you can safely go dry. If you want an extra measure of assurance some Three Bond flexible sealer would be a good choice - Three Bond makes most of the "Yamabond", "Hondabond" and "Suzuki Bond" products. Not sure which version is best for usage with gaskets so you may have to do a little research.

Edit: I think this is the stuff (sold under various names as mentioned before) http://www.z1enterprises.com/detail.aspx?ID=178

Good luck.

[psyguy]

What type of flexible sealer would you suggest.

unless you are very experienced it may take you a while to slide all the pistons/rings into the cylinders. flexible sealer might go off (dry) by the time you're done and it may get in the way of your hands too (that you'll already have oil on) and make a mess in the process
so, i'd either grease it (with a view of an easier removal somewhere down the line) or would leave it dry