Topic: Gasket sealer/cement

[P.abrera]

Will be buttoning up my top end rebuild soon. Using tge cycle X 550 MLS gasket kit. Site says no sealer/cement neccesary. Anyone have experience otherwise?

If some extra insurance wont hurt, does anyone have experience with the VHT copper slip spray? This is pretty much whats available to me where i am.


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[T_The_Pirate]

you shouldn't need any off that stuff....just check your torque specs and take your time! 

[calj737]

Best documented resource is right here: http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php?topic=107040.0

Yes, it's a 750 but the principles still apply. And, whatever you do, re-torque the head bolts after installing the head.

[Muckinfuss]

I've been involved with those using MLS gaskets for years and the number one reason for failure.....not decking the surfaces.  Gasket seal won't fix that.

[jamesbekman]

Yea MLS needs a flat flat surface, no gasket sealer etc will be needed.  You can then use that gasket over multiple times...  Also...  You might just be better off buying a Honda OEM gasket.

[PeWe]

Copper spray for gaskets OK on fiber gaskets, all of them.
I used it on Cometic fiber head gasket on both sides

I tried Hondabond on the head cover gasket..... hours of work to scrath it off when removing the cover....
I used thin layer of Permatex copper spray next time with new gasket and I'll use it on all gaskets in the future.
Spayed on one side only, not where the removable part is mounted just for sure. I have lifted the head cover 2 times after that without harming the gasket

MLS has rubber coating that does not like sealer if I have understood correct.

[P.abrera]

Best documented resource is right here: http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php?topic=107040.0

Yes, it's a 750 but the principles still apply. And, whatever you do, re-torque the head bolts after installing the head.

So if retourqueing the head is recommended after a few miles running, one has to seal up the pucks, go for a few rides then open up the sealed pucks again for retorque, yes?


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[harisuluv]

torque all bolts.  wait 24 hours.  retorque all bolts. 

[P.abrera]

torque all bolts.  wait 24 hours.  retorque all bolts.

Thanks. Appreciate the tips. Retourqueing proceedure being: torque to spec, wait a day. Then loosen bolts and snug back up to spec? or just tighten further without loosening first (assuming there's "slack" thats developed after sitting a day)?


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[calj737]

Torque. Wait. Release. Re-torque.

And when you torque, do so in 3 steps of incremental torque. And use the proper pattern to sequence the bolts. Even when un-torquing the head the sequence matters.

You do not need to run the engine to re-torque, but you do need to wait (24 hours best recommendation).

[Bailgang]

I used the Cycle X MLS gasket on my 550 with great results. The only time I used a copper spray on the MLS gasket was on the 3rd time I had the cyl head off and that was just a precaution. The reason why I had to pull the head 3 times was because of a boogered up base gasket and then using cheap nitrile o-rings. My word of advice is use viton o-rings when ever possible, once I had the base gasket and o-ring issue sorted out my 550 was leak free and +1 to all the retorque tips.