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Valve cover gasket thickness- Real Gasket vs Stock

BigD_83

BigD_83

Forum Sage
Past Site Supporter
I know Nessism mentioned the critical thickness of the valve cover gasket in reference to the use (or misuse) of RealGaskets on the 550/650, but what is the actual thickness of a stock valve cover gasket for the '83 GS650G? Are all the gaskets in the engine the same thickness?

I didn't see the information in the service manual, but I may have missed it. Is the thickness coded in the part number like engine bolts?
 
Not sure of the stock thickness, but, I'm curious why you ask ? Are you planning on making your own ?

The issue is really the placement of the tach gear drive on different models. If it's in the valve cover, then a Real gasket is a no-no because the gears for tach drive won't mesh correctly with the ones on the exhaust cam. :)
 
Larry D said:
Not sure of the stock thickness, but, I'm curious why you ask ? Are you planning on making your own ?

The issue is really the placement of the tach gear drive on different models. If it's in the valve cover, then a Real gasket is a no-no because the gears for tach drive won't mesh correctly with the ones on the exhaust cam. :)
Click to expand...
That's it exactly. I have a roll of gasket material and I'm going to be in and out of the valves a bit over the next couple of months, checking and replacing shims, etc, so thought I'd try making a gasket.

I eyeballed the thickness of the one that is currently on there, and gave it a bit of extra thickness to account for compression, and I think I'm okay, but I really don't want to mess up the tach/exhaust gearing.
 
On your 650G, you don't want a Real Gasket.
noway.gif


You may have figured that out by now.

Why do you think you will be in there multiple times? At the worst, you will be in there twice, and if you wait patiently for your shims, it will only be ONCE. :o

Regardless, when you put your new gasket in, coat it with a light film of oil or WD-40. It will still seal very well, and will be much easier to remove next time you will be adjusting the valves.

.
 
Steve said:
On your 650G, you don't want a Real Gasket.
noway.gif


You may have figured that out by now.

Why do you think you will be in there multiple times? At the worst, you will be in there twice, and if you wait patiently for your shims, it will only be ONCE. :o

Regardless, when you put your new gasket in, coat it with a light film of oil or WD-40. It will still seal very well, and will be much easier to remove next time you will be adjusting the valves.

.
Click to expand...
Hi Steve,

I dove in once already, but ran out of time to inventory the shims. I now have the tappet depressor so I am ready to go at it again. I noticed when I was in there that one valve cover bolt was sheared off, the "extra" one from the newer covers and that is going to have to come out at some point, as I think I'm getting a little leak at that point.

The gasket currently on there was treated well by a PO, and 99.9% of it was fine, and could have been reused but for a slight, incomplete tear near the front left, inside bolt. A small leak is apparent there as well.

I'm also anticipating pulling the head at some point this winter to deal with the shorn exhaust pipe header bolts, as I'm not geared up to drill and/or weld in my garage. Taking the head out of the bike and delivering it to the shop will save me a tonne of cash.

Basically, I'm counting on Murphy making an appearance, and would like to be ready if he does.
 
The gasket thickness isn't as critical as you are thinking. As long as you are using a paper gasket like you are suggesting you won't trash your tacho drive.
 
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