Topic: Head leak, Copper coat Question and more???

[Rodger]

Alright so after 600 miles on the rebuild, 400/4, the guide ports are leaking.  So to start my many questions, first where can I get good o rings?  The one with my gasket set are apparently not of good quality. Honda has oem for guide and orifice, are the oem o-rings better and aftermarket?  Second  this time  I am going to use copper coat, is there a brand that I should buy or all are the same?  I've read about copper coat and those you use it swear by it but never stated a brand.  I've also read where some was using Copper Coat and then used Hondabond around the guide and orifice O-rings, is this a good idea or is the copper coat and good O-rings enough?   Any other info or advise is welcome, I don't want to be repeating my work again anytime soon. 

Thanks

[Powderman]

K&W makes the Copper Coat brand, I use it or Permatex Copper Spray a Gasket.

[Dave Voss]

+1 on the Permatex Copper Spray-A-Gasket, I've used it with great results many times.  Unlike automotive applications that call for a thicker layer or multiple coats, for motorcycle applications it is best to apply a light even coat, as the mating surfaces are typically more uniform and so require less 'filler' from the gasket spray.

[Lostboy Steve]

I used it on mine. I did several extremely light coats until the whole gasket was an even copper tone. I did the same to my high compression civic engine however I havent started it yet so i cant say if it will work or not.

[Duanob]

+3 on the Permatex copper spray. Make sure the gasket is a perfect fit around the oil passages. I had an after market gasket that didn't quite fit perfect but thinking it would seal once torqued down, WRONG! It started leaking within a few miles of running it. I would try and locate an OEM Honda headgasket if you can. Once I used an OEM gasket, o-rings and copper spray the motor is high and dry, no oil leaks in that area.

[Rodger]

+3 on the Permatex copper spray. Make sure the gasket is a perfect fit around the oil passages. I had an after market gasket that didn't quite fit perfect but thinking it would seal once torqued down, WRONG! It started leaking within a few miles of running it. I would try and locate an OEM Honda headgasket if you can. Once I used an OEM gasket, o-rings and copper spray the motor is high and dry, no oil leaks in that area.

Thanks for the feedback.  They have the OEM headgasket at bike bandit.  just the headgasket cost almost as much as the whole gasket set I bought for the rebuild...but look where that got me!  Sound like the copper coat should be the ticket, adding hondabond around the orings maybe overkill.

[curemode2002]

I would not use the hondabond there it is too big a risk plugging the system up.

[Rodger]

Any suggestions on gasket brands?  Or should I try and source OEM?  The gaskets are hard to find in OEM and I don't want NOS O-rings, old O-rings doenst sound like a good thing.  I wish I remembered what brand I bought the first time, don't want them again.

[crazypj]

K&W makes the Copper Coat brand, I use it or Permatex Copper Spray a Gasket.

+1 Permatex
That's what I use on solid copper gaskets, never had problem and no leaks (so far)
Has the head or block been skimmed?
 The locating dowels could be 'hanging up' before correct torque (you did check for 'flat'?)
On 550 I found the oil way 'O' rings last very long until I machined it for a dowel to support it

[Lostboy Steve]

I used the vesrah gasket set and the dynoman heavy duty studs.