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Which head gasket do I return??

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    Which head gasket do I return??

    Ladies and Gentlemen....Once again I need your advice......

    I'm slowly rebuilding the engine of my GS1100 GL and I bought a NE gasket kit. Unfortunately, I found that a couple of the gaskets didn't fit (Clutch cover and Rocker cover.) So I phoned my supplier who was very helpful and sent me a complete Athena gasket kit and asked that I send back (in the supplied envelope) the gaskets that I do not use.
    My question is, which head gasket do I use?
    The NE one looks well made but is essentially a paper type with metal inserts. The Athena one is made up of 3 layers - what looks like black coated metal or plastic sandwiching a shiny metal layer. I'm guessing that the Athena one will last longer, but is it better?

    As always,your advice very gratefully received!
    Attached Files
    Argee

    sigpic

    1982 GS1100GL

    #2
    they look totally different? which one fits correctly?
    1978 GS1085.

    Just remember, an opinion without 3.14 is just an onion!

    Comment


      #3
      I don't know much about NE gaskets. Athena can be a bit hit and miss. I've used them in the past with mixed results. I stick with OEM for head and base gaskets these days. They're more expensive, but they fit and seal correctly.

      From your description, I'd try the Athena, but be prepared for the possibility of failure. Not definite, just possible.
      1980 GS550ET

      Comment


        #4
        OEM only for gaskets.
        Jordan

        1977 Suzuki GS750 (My first bike)
        2000 Kawasaki ZRX1100
        1973 BMW R75/5

        Comment


          #5
          Originally posted by hannibal View Post
          OEM only for gaskets.
          This mantra has been repeated here countless times, along with photos demonstrating leakage with aftermarket gaskets, yet we continue to get questions.
          Ed

          To measure is to know.

          Mikuni O-ring Kits For Sale...https://www.thegsresources.com/_foru...ts#post1703182

          Top Newbie Mistakes thread...http://www.thegsresources.com/_forum...d.php?t=171846

          Carb rebuild tutorial...https://gsarchive.bwringer.com/mtsac...d_Tutorial.pdf

          KZ750E Rebuild Thread...http://www.thegsresources.com/_forum...0-Resurrection

          Comment


            #6
            Oh dear....... Nessim and Hannibal, if you knew of someone who had not realised that there was such a problem with gasket sets and had then made the 'schoolboy error' of purchasing a gasket set without looking at the forum what would....................hmmm.......I'm guessing that you probably would still say buy an OEM one anyway....

            The NE one does look like a really good fit despite it being made of a card-like material...... Decision time........
            Argee

            sigpic

            1982 GS1100GL

            Comment


              #7
              I fitted an NE set two years ago and so far no issues. That said I did have to adjust a hole or two to get the head gasket to fit and the fire rings were not exactly centred on the bores.
              There is a shop near here. The owner is a 70s 80s rebuild enthusiast and he swears by Athena.
              97 R1100R
              Previous
              80 GS850G, 79 Z400B, 85 R100RT, 80 Z650D, 76 CB200

              Comment


                #8
                Originally posted by Brendan W View Post
                I fitted an NE set two years ago and so far no issues. That said I did have to adjust a hole or two to get the head gasket to fit and the fire rings were not exactly centred on the bores.
                There is a shop near here. The owner is a 70s 80s rebuild enthusiast and he swears by Athena.
                The lime green Athena base gaskets are the best. Ed has a complete photo gallery of the shriveled up remains!

                Comment


                  #9
                  Originally posted by Brendan W View Post
                  There is a shop near here. The owner is a 70s 80s rebuild enthusiast and he swears by Athena.
                  Don't trust him.
                  Ed

                  To measure is to know.

                  Mikuni O-ring Kits For Sale...https://www.thegsresources.com/_foru...ts#post1703182

                  Top Newbie Mistakes thread...http://www.thegsresources.com/_forum...d.php?t=171846

                  Carb rebuild tutorial...https://gsarchive.bwringer.com/mtsac...d_Tutorial.pdf

                  KZ750E Rebuild Thread...http://www.thegsresources.com/_forum...0-Resurrection

                  Comment


                    #10
                    Originally posted by Nessism View Post
                    Don't trust him.
                    I don't neccessarily. I'm just looking at the diversity of experience on this issue. Granted that some or even a lot of so called experience is actually opinion in fancy dress.
                    If I recall correctly there was some surprise at the green goo at the time and questions were asked about Vesrah as well as Athena as to whether they were going through a bad patch, change of owner, relocated plant etc etc.
                    Based on what I read here, I would fit oem for a paying customer.
                    For better or worse I have fitted NE base, head etc. Stem seals did not survive my fitting them and were replaced with set of Athena and touch wood everything is hunky dory. Granted I sprayed the base gasket with Al paint because of the hatchet job down there from a previous job.
                    97 R1100R
                    Previous
                    80 GS850G, 79 Z400B, 85 R100RT, 80 Z650D, 76 CB200

                    Comment

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