Topic: 1976 Honda CB550 Engine Rebuild- Gaskets

[SocoMoto]

GUys,

i have been searching this forum for a while trying to figure out the best way to install gaskets.  some people say to use a gasket sealant, others say to not use one... some say to use copper spray, some say to not.... whats the final answer?

Head Gasket- Use a sealant?  What Kind/Brand?
Base Gasket- USe a Sealant? What Kind/ Brand?

Also, the Versah gasket kit came with a bunch of rubber O-Rings... the manual doesnt say where to put them... and when i took the engine apart, i didnt really see any, expect for the 4 big rubber rings around the cylinders... where do all the small O-Rings go?  ill be posting pics and videos on youtube soon.

Video- Engine Breakdown

youtube- socomoto707

[Fritz]

Hi,
 
 why do you think you need gasket sealant?
 Read the "Honda common service manual" (google) on how to prepare the sealing surfaces and install the gaskets.
Install the paper gaskets dry or, at most, apply some oil on them which helps them to swell a little bit - they will do anyways when they get in contact with the motor oil.
 
 As for the o-rings:
 - 4 around the cylinder jugs
 - 2 around oil jets between cylinders and crankcase
 - 2 to seal the oil passages between cylinders and head
 - 1 to seal the camchain adjuster bolt
 - 1 to seal the tachometer gear
 - 4 on the cylinder head side covers that hold the rocker shafts in place - you need to install fresh AL crush washers on their brackets
 - 6 "rubber pucks" above the head screws
 
 

[cabrala]

Your Vesrah kit will not have the 6 "pucks". They are ordered separately. I grabbed mine off of Z1 Enterprises. I'm also not sure of the exact name so you can searh the forum for more details or wait for another to chime in on specifics.

Cheers.

[SocoMoto]

Fritz... replace the AL washers in the brackets?... what brackets?... are you talking about the 12 engine stud bolt?

[Dimitri13]

He's talking about the washers on the cam cover side covers. They're the ones that are held on by a flat screw and there's the little L bracket behind it. Replace those two (on each side) crush washers with copper washers (preferably), or aluminum washers, or at the very least, reshape and flatten the ones you have, if they can be saved. If you don't do that, you WILL have a leak.

Also be VERY certain to replace those six head nut pucks under the cam cover. If you don't do that, you WILL have a leak, and it will be messy as hell.

The tach gear oil seal is also important.

I'd recommend using a copper sealant on the head gasket.

[SocoMoto]

Thanks guys for your help.... so gaskets go on DRY(without sealants/ copper spray), and i am guessing that even though a Vesrah engine rebuild kit comes with a bunch of O-Rings, not all of them are used

[SocoMoto]

Check out my youtube video... cant post the link, but you can find it under my name- socomoto707