Topic: Best source for gaskets? And a little diagnostic help....

[Scott S]

 After doing what I thought was a meticulous top-end rebuild on my '78 550K, I started getting oil from around the base gasket in only ~300 miles. I can also see some wetness around the head gasket, but no running/dripping oil, yet.

 Then, I tried to start it the other day and I got a popping from around the #1 exhaust area. I even saw a puff of smoke. At first, I thought I had a loose exhaust pipe, but when tightening the nuts, I saw bubbles in the oil around the head gasket. I'm afraid that I've blown the head gasket out.
 I tried briefly to start it the other day to further diagnose it, but the #1 pipe didn't even get hot. NOTE: I did NOT open the petcock and the float bowl could simply be empty.

 At that point, I got disgusted and walked away. Too many projects, too many problems and some other issues in my life "outside the garage" right now. I just didn't feel like dealing with it.

 I guess I need to open the petcock and try again...make sure that there aren't other problems, but I feel like I'll be going in to re-torque the head or, most likely, replace the gaskets again with some good sealer.
 If I just need new head and base gaskets, where's the best place for good gaskets? Since the o-rings and pucks only have about 300 miles on them, can I re-use them if they pass inspection?

[Greggo]

Where did the 'new' gasket come from?  I've heard the Vesrah gaskets are good, you can find those on fleabay.  Did the puff of smoke come from the side of the motor, or the front near the header pipe?

[Scott S]

 I had a full gasket kit and I can't remember the manufacturer.

 The puff was from around the front/corner of the engine, so it could have been from the pipe or the gasket. I really need to try starting it again but, like I said, I've been pretty disgusted with the way things have been going lately. Ever have "one of those days"? I'm having one of those years....

 I'll fill the float bowls and crank it up later today and report back.

[Greggo]

I had a full gasket kit and I can't remember the manufacturer.

 The puff was from around the front/corner of the engine, so it could have been from the pipe or the gasket. I really need to try starting it again but, like I said, I've been pretty disgusted with the way things have been going lately. Ever have "one of those days"? I'm having one of those years....

 I'll fill the float bowls and crank it up later today and report back.

I've been pretty lucky with the CB500, aside from some crappy exhaust leak problems of my own, most of my 'just one of those days' were while working on the CA95, or the 750...

Just leave it for a little while...it'll still be there, and gas doesn't really go bad as fast as you may think from reading this forum..

[luap]

For just the base an head gasket Id go to dynoman. Nicest gaskets Ive used so far.

[lucky]

I would not worry about the puff of smoke too much. It is very common to come from the header pipe. You may have new gaskets but often the header pipe does not fit perfectly.

You never put sealer on the head gasket. Only put sealer on the base cylinder gasket.
Ask KEN at Cycle Exchange (edit) about that. Get the gaskets from him.

[Scott S]

Ask KEN at Cycle one about that. Get the gaskets from him.

 Is this the Cycle One you're referring to?
http://www.cycleone.com/

[RAFster122s]

Cycle exchange in MN or WI has goodstuff and gasket...scroll down on their 750 page and find the link to 550 parts

[lucky]

Sorry ...My mistake. I mean't Ken at Cycle Exchange in Wisconsin.

[Brantley]

It's been a little over a year and Charleston is a bit of a haul from Rockvegas, but call Champion Honda. They had a box of nos 550 gaskets. Ask for Brian at the parts counter.

[Scott S]

 Champion is out. I'll have to order them locally.

 Dynoman sells Vesra gaskets. I can find a reasonably priced top end kit.......what are your thoughts on Vesrah?

[seanbarney41]

Hondaman recommends Vesra in lieu of OEM Honda, I have also heard to try to avoid Athena...I'm putting a 750 back together with a mix of OEM and Vesrah but it will be a while before I have results to report...

[Scott S]

 If it's good enough for Hondaman, it's good enough for me. The top end kit gives me exhaust gaskets, etc., too.

 I hear conflicting opinions on using sealant on the head gasket. The "Leak Free Top End" thread shows him using sealant. Others say dry or just copper gasket sealant (which I used last time). I've pretty much decided on what I'm going to do, but I'd like to hear opinions on this, too.

[lucky]

Champion is out. I'll have to order them locally.

 Dynoman sells Vesra gaskets. I can find a reasonably priced top end kit.......what are your thoughts on Vesrah?

Scott....Did you retorque the head nuts about 24 hours after putting the head together? and before you put the engine back into service?

[Scott S]

 Lucky, I did not. I've heard conflicting reports on whether you're supposed to retorque.

 Occasionally, on cranking, I can hear and see a puff from between the head and cylinders. Mostly only the LH side, but the worst oil leak is on the RH side. It doesn't puff or chuff when being ridden, only on initial start up. I can see oil "boiling" on the head gasket seam when sitting at a stop light.
 I was going to try retorqueing, but I'm scared the head gasket may be damaged now.

[Scott S]

 Did some reading on retorquing...now I'm confused...

 If I have that chuffing or puff on start up, but not when riding, should I try to re-torque the head before I go all the way into it to replace the head gasket?

[dave500]

ive never retorqued these head gaskets,ive even used them over a couple of times.

[Scott S]

 Finally got around to resealing the top end on this engine. Several of the nuts on the head studs were VERY loose. I used an old torque wrench, but one I've used many times before with no problem. It's the pointer type, so there's no "setting" it.

 I replaced the head gasket, o-rings and used some blue hylomar. I borrowed a "modern" torque wrench; the kind that clicks when you reach the set torque. I hand tightened, then torqued, waited ten minutes and retorqued with an extra two lb/ft.
 I used the blue hylomar on my CB500 and added a couple extra ft/lbs using the old, pointer style TQ wrench and it's been leak free after ~600 miles.

 I don't now why the nuts were so loose on the 550. Some were only finger tight. It seems like the center studs had come loose and the outer studs were tighter, but not torqued properly.

 I'll finish up the 550 tomorrow (exhaust, adjust valves and cam chain) and see what happens.