Topic: Rubber Pucks / Solid Aluminum Instead ?

[george]

  Is there any sure fire way to keep these from leaking ? Bike is K2, Old Ned's on the forum here. I have been helping him rebuild this top end and have become gun shy about these pucks under the cam towers. When I did the top end on my K8 I thought I followed HondaMans directions carefully but I'm leaking. It seems to be coming from around 2-3 spark plug areas. I did not re-torque my head bolts.
  So to avoid this on Ned's motor, any input? Has anyone ever heard of or tried using solid aluminum plugs in place of the rubber pucks? How about using a quarter and some pooky.
  Thanks gents, couldn't find any info on this with the search feature.

[MCRider]

  Is there any sure fire way to keep these from leaking ? Bike is K2, Old Ned's on the forum here. I have been helping him rebuild this top end and have become gun shy about these pucks under the cam towers. When I did the top end on my K8 I thought I followed HondaMans directions carefully but I'm leaking. It seems to be coming from around 2-3 spark plug areas. I did not re-torque my head bolts.
  So to avoid this on Ned's motor, any input? Has anyone ever heard of or tried using solid aluminum plugs in place of the rubber pucks? How about using a quarter and some pooky.
  Thanks gents, couldn't find any info on this with the search feature.

If you think about it retorquing the head nuts has nothing to do with the pucks. Two different levels. If anyhting you would retighten the cam tower bolts (2) and the bearing cap hold downs (4). But be real careful as these shouldn't require much and are prone to stripping.

I thnk you'll find that HMs procedures are your best bet.

On yours, had you removed the 4 studs holding down the cam towers?  When those leak they mimic a leak in the rubber puckies.

[george]

  Is there any sure fire way to keep these from leaking ? Bike is K2, Old Ned's on the forum here. I have been helping him rebuild this top end and have become gun shy about these pucks under the cam towers. When I did the top end on my K8 I thought I followed HondaMans directions carefully but I'm leaking. It seems to be coming from around 2-3 spark plug areas. I did not re-torque my head bolts.
  So to avoid this on Ned's motor, any input? Has anyone ever heard of or tried using solid aluminum plugs in place of the rubber pucks? How about using a quarter and some pooky.
  Thanks gents, couldn't find any info on this with the search feature.

If you think about it retorquing the head nuts has nothing to do with the pucks. Two different levels. If anyhting you would retighten the cam tower bolts (2) and the bearing cap hold downs (4). But be real careful as these shouldn't require much and are prone to stripping.

I thnk you'll find that HMs procedures are your best bet.

On yours, had you removed the 4 studs holding down the cam towers?  When those leak they mimic a leak in the rubber puckies.

Thanks MC , No , did not remove those studs. I changed the head gasket because it actually blew out on #3, I mean to the point of shooting fire out. I did nothing more than clean up the mating surfaces , and put on a new gasket, I missed something .I think maybe my desire to ride made me careless somewhere ! So now , in riding season , it comes back apart ! Sad !

[Don R]

They were rubber nickels, now a quarter fits in there. Inflation I guess.

[george]

They were rubber nickels, now a quarter fits in there. Inflation I guess.

Yes sir , nickel wont work anymore , quarter fit pretty well actually !

[chewbacca5000]

In order to avoid future leaks under the pucks sealant is required.  Can't remember which one though.  The puck shrink over time and leak.

Also the leak between 2 and 3 cylinders is probably caused by head warp.  I had a leak in the same place and the head was not flat.  I would check it with a straight edge and if not perfectly flat it will need a press or be milled flat.  Resembling with heavy duty studs really helps too.

As for the aluminum disk they won't shrink, but I am not sure they would make a seal either.

[70CB750]

I think he means something like engine block plugs.  But if Honda believed they would they would use them.