Author Topic: Vesrah gaskets (Read 5801 times)

AlekStooge · « **on:** November 17, 2015, 12:00:26 AM »

Are these any good or should I stay away?
http://4into1.com/vesrah-complete-gasket-set-vg-155-honda-cb500-cb550/

DaveBarbier · « **Reply #1 on:** November 17, 2015, 03:09:40 AM »

Come on man, you got to do some work! https://www.google.com/search?q=sohc4+vesrah+gasket+set&ie=UTF-8&oe=UTF-8&hl=en-us&client=safari#q=sohc4+vesrah+gasket+set+site:forums.sohc4.net&hl=en-us&prmd=sivn

I used a Vesrah set on my bike but used OEM oil seals and head gasket. Oil pan leaked after 6 months but everything else is good.

flybox1 · « **Reply #2 on:** November 17, 2015, 07:24:06 AM »

I used Vesrah on my 750 build (sourced a different oil seal kit and cam tower pucks) but used everything else.
No leaks.

strynboen · « **Reply #3 on:** November 17, 2015, 10:21:26 AM »

used it and have still leakes in the 550 head..not better then others brands...

Deltarider · « **Reply #4 on:** November 17, 2015, 11:12:00 AM »

Quote

used it and have still leakes in the 550 head..not better then others brands...

On 500s and 550s the problem is the O-rings. Unless somebody has a golden tip for this, I do not recommend to lift the head just to cure what everybody calls a leaking headgasket. My engine had a new headgasket twice and still leaks. I decided to live with it and there's an advantage: a bit of oil on the frame is good to protect against rust. Once in the season I clean it. BTW, the leakage aways looks worse than it actually is.

PeWe · « **Reply #5 on:** November 17, 2015, 11:17:32 AM »

Vesrah parts were often delvered as OEM parts or alternative back in the 80's when I ordered stuff to my CB750.
Not bad.

Bailgang · « **Reply #6 on:** November 17, 2015, 02:42:54 PM »

Quote from: Deltarider on November 17, 2015, 11:12:00 AM

Quote
used it and have still leakes in the 550 head..not better then others brands...
On 500s and 550s the problem is the O-rings. Unless somebody has a golden tip for this, I do not recommend to lift the head just to cure what everybody calls a leaking headgasket.

Had same leakage issue with my 550 until I pitched the o-rings that came with the aftermarket gasket set and used viton o-rings instead, my 550 was leak free after that. I'm not saying that's a "cure all" but it worked for me. When I took my 750 apart I again pitched the o-rings that came with the set and used viton o-rings instead and it too was leak free at least until the rubber puck seals that go under the cam holder failed, replacing them with OEM pucks took care of that. Now the 750 has a pesky oil leak coming from the oil pan which so far I've been too lazy to fix just yet.

AlekStooge · « **Reply #7 on:** November 17, 2015, 07:47:34 PM »

I think I'll go with the Vesrah set but it seems majority is pointing to getting a OEM head gasket and oil seals. I'm looking at David Silver and it seems there is only two oil seals for the crankshaft...is that it? https://www.davidsilverspares.com/CB550K-1978-USA/

Damn this is getting pricey.

DaveBarbier · « **Reply #8 on:** November 18, 2015, 02:08:28 AM »

I thought you were just doing a top end rebuild? If so, no need to get the crank seals because that requires splitting the cases. I was under the impression that just a decapitation is what you were doing and not even removing the jugs. That will keep costs down. If you've changed your mind and posted elsewhere that you are splitting the cases, then disregard that

.

But yes, crank has a seal on either end. Some aftermarket seals that I got didn't have a lip on them so I go OEM from DSS.

AlekStooge · « **Reply #9 on:** November 18, 2015, 11:39:41 AM »

Quote from: DaveBarbier on November 18, 2015, 02:08:28 AM

I thought you were just doing a top end rebuild? If so, no need to get the crank seals because that requires splitting the cases. I was under the impression that just a decapitation is what you were doing and not even removing the jugs. That will keep costs down. If you've changed your mind and posted elsewhere that you are splitting the cases, then disregard that .

But yes, crank has a seal on either end. Some aftermarket seals that I got didn't have a lip on them so I go OEM from DSS.

So there is only two oil seals in the engine that I should buy individually and OEM? Right?

Yes I am pulling the head, but the paint on the engine is chipping and it will need to be repainted so I'll have to split the cases anyway. Plus sometimes I remember hearing grinding when downshifting so probably the clutch. There needs to be work done down there so I'm just thinking ahead for the future. All after I take care of the top end though one thing at a time.

DaveBarbier · « **Reply #10 on:** November 18, 2015, 12:09:48 PM »

First, the clutch can be replaced/serviced without splitting the cases. That's just behind the right case cover. As for the grinding while shifting...are there steel particles in your filter and oil pan?

Second, there are many more than 2 oil seals in the engine. The crank just has two of them. In the bottom end there's probably something like 8.

Third, the cases don't need to be split for paint.

Fourth, you don't have to get OEM but I recommend it. If it leaks and you want to fix it, then the cases will need to be split again. I say get OEM so there's a much better chance it'll seal the first time.

AlekStooge · « **Reply #11 on:** November 18, 2015, 01:55:18 PM »

Which seals did you replace when you rebuilt your engine? I believe you told me you got them at David silver.

DaveBarbier · « **Reply #12 on:** November 18, 2015, 02:10:53 PM »

I replaced all of them. I got the majority of them from DSS but some (like the sealing rubbers above your head nuts) I got from Partzilla. I'll see if I still have my list of part numbers and vendors for each one I wrote down. Took me a couple days to assemble that list from going on CMSNL to see what I need and then looking at my engine to make sure I didn't miss anything. All worked out in the end, though.

AlekStooge · « **Reply #13 on:** November 18, 2015, 02:32:56 PM »

Appreciate it

Duke McDukiedook · « **Reply #14 on:** November 19, 2015, 07:18:07 AM »

Go with Cometic for your head gaskets if you can. Way better than Vesrah.

DaveBarbier · « **Reply #15 on:** November 19, 2015, 04:38:58 PM »

Here's that list, but it's only for the case seals. I would double check it and make sure I didn't miss anything, but all part numbers are correct. I actually remember I got everything from Partzilla.

Transmission:

91207374000 Seal Plug 34x9 (this one is hard to find. Partzilla no longer has it but I saw a couple on eBay.)

91205283015 Oil Seal 33x57x7

Shift Drum Spindle:

91202426003 Oil Seal 12x25x4.5

91202KFL841 Oil Seal 13.8x24x5

Clutch Cover:

91204286005 Oil Seal Kickstart 18x29x7

91259VM0000 Clutch Lever Oil/Dust Seal 10x16x4.5

Crank Shaft:

91201300003 Right Hand Seal 30x42x8

91201323005 Left Hand Seal 30x45x8

AlekStooge · « **Reply #16 on:** November 19, 2015, 10:09:00 PM »

Quote from: DaveBarbier on November 19, 2015, 04:38:58 PM

Here's that list, but it's only for the case seals. I would double check it and make sure I didn't miss anything, but all part numbers are correct. I actually remember I got everything from Partzilla.

Transmission:

91207374000 Seal Plug 34x9 (this one is hard to find. Partzilla no longer has it but I saw a couple on eBay.)

91205283015 Oil Seal 33x57x7

Shift Drum Spindle:

91202426003 Oil Seal 12x25x4.5

91202KFL841 Oil Seal 13.8x24x5

Clutch Cover:

91204286005 Oil Seal Kickstart 18x29x7

91259VM0000 Clutch Lever Oil/Dust Seal 10x16x4.5

Crank Shaft:

91201300003 Right Hand Seal 30x42x8

91201323005 Left Hand Seal 30x45x8

I'll double check it. Thanks!

b5rider · « **Reply #17 on:** November 22, 2015, 08:15:38 AM »

Unfortunately, I would stay away from Vesrah gaskets. I did a (well, my mechanic) a total rebuild and have had 3 different leaks. I had the oil pan, camshaft cover, and tachometer cover. My $.02

Restoration Fan · « **Reply #18 on:** November 22, 2015, 02:29:08 PM »

I used the complete Vesrah set (including the Vesrah head gasket) and have had no leaks with approaching 800 miles since the rebuild.

DaveBarbier · « **Reply #19 on:** November 22, 2015, 03:06:39 PM »

That's the thing, it'll probably be ok, but it also might leak after a bit. You get the spectrum. But I doubt you'll hear anyone saying, "Don't do OEM, they leak and you'll be sorry." For me, it just reduces the probability of leakage.

seanbarney41 · « **Reply #20 on:** November 22, 2015, 03:35:41 PM »

vesrah cb750 valve cover gaskets used? ...three. Vesrah cb750 valve cover gaskets that leaked? ...three.

AlekStooge · « **Reply #21 on:** November 22, 2015, 06:02:50 PM »

@Dave refresh my memory were these were all the ones you decided to buy OEM?

Transmission:

91207374000 Seal Plug 34x9 (this one is hard to find. Partzilla no longer has it but I saw a couple on eBay.)

91205283015 Oil Seal 33x57x7

Shift Drum Spindle:

91202426003 Oil Seal 12x25x4.5

91202KFL841 Oil Seal 13.8x24x5

Clutch Cover:

91204286005 Oil Seal Kickstart 18x29x7

91259VM0000 Clutch Lever Oil/Dust Seal 10x16x4.5

Crank Shaft:

91201300003 Right Hand Seal 30x42x8

91201323005 Left Hand Seal 30x45x8

I'm seeing Vesrah isn't all that great. Is there another brand someone can recommend that comes as a whole set? Then I'll replace the gaskets from the set with the above OEM ones.

Quote from: DukieDukenDuke on November 19, 2015, 07:18:07 AM

Go with Cometic for your head gaskets if you can. Way better than Vesrah.

Can anyone second Cometic?

DaveBarbier · « **Reply #22 on:** November 22, 2015, 06:28:14 PM »

Yes, these were the OEM seals I bought. I went OEM with more than this though. Head gasket, rubber sealing pucks were also OEM...I think more but I can't remember.

I don't think a kit exists that has everything you need. It's usually just a top end kit and then there are bottom end seal kits. It'll be missing some things you'll need to get separately, though.

I will most likely be going with an MLS head gasket by Cometic for my 650 this winter because I'm doing an over bore. I've heard good things about them. But to make things more difficult Cometic makes different kinds of head gaskets, like MLS and CFM. Nothing in life is easy.

AlekStooge · « **Reply #23 on:** November 22, 2015, 06:41:35 PM »

What's the difference between MLS and CFM? Did you out a 650 in your 550 or is that actually a CB 650? I've been talking to calj737 about boring, porting, cam swaps etc..

+ Nothing in life worth doing is easy. CBs are very worth it!

AlekStooge · « **Reply #24 on:** November 22, 2015, 06:53:05 PM »

MLS sounds more enticing, maybe because the descriptions longer $:-\$ . http://www.cometic.com/custom-gaskets.aspx Anyone care to explain the benefits of one over the other in layman's terms?

DaveBarbier · « **Reply #25 on:** November 23, 2015, 01:59:32 AM »

Quote from: AlekStooge on November 22, 2015, 06:41:35 PM

What's the difference between MLS and CFM? Did you out a 650 in your 550 or is that actually a CB 650? I've been talking to calj737 about boring, porting, cam swaps etc..

+ Nothing in life worth doing is easy. CBs are very worth it!

It's still on the bench, but I'm putting a 650 motor in my 550 frame. Fun times

AlekStooge · « **Reply #26 on:** November 23, 2015, 05:54:14 AM »

Until yesterday I thought of going the same route but I found out it is significantly heavier not just 2 lbs more then the 550, like I thought. You can't use PD46C carbs right?

DaveBarbier · « **Reply #27 on:** November 23, 2015, 11:25:24 AM »

Quote from: AlekStooge on November 23, 2015, 05:54:14 AM

Until yesterday I thought of going the same route but I found out it is significantly heavier not just 2 lbs more then the 550, like I thought. You can't use PD46C carbs right?

Can't use the 550 carbs. That's a whole other rabbit hole. I'm using CR26's for mine.

As having lifted both engines I'll say that the 650 motor is not significantly heavier. A few pounds sounds right. I could be wrong though. You'll have to check numbers, they don't lie.

AlekStooge · « **Reply #28 on:** November 23, 2015, 08:24:45 PM »

MLS sounds like it's more work then I'm up for. I'd like to just put the gasket in with Hondabond, as recommended by you and cross my fingers.

AlekStooge · « **Reply #29 on:** December 02, 2015, 10:43:45 AM »

I think I'll call the shop and ask them to deck the head and cylinder block flat for an MLS gasket. I'm looking into getting this kit for a big bore. http://www.japbikespares.com/honda/honda-big-bore-piston-kit/honda-cb550-k-sohc-74-78-600cc-big-bore-kit-61-5mm-piston-rings-gasket

However I don't think that is an MLS gasket that come with it nor does it specify that it is a 0.038 thickness.

So trimming the dowels is a must if you go with a MLS gasket? How much more work is this?

AlekStooge · « **Reply #30 on:** December 02, 2015, 11:55:40 PM »

So it depends on how uneven it is in the first place because there no reason to take off a lot if it is close to flat.

AlekStooge · « **Reply #31 on:** December 03, 2015, 09:53:55 AM »

Yeah I told them that I'll be putting in MLS gaskets. We'll see how it turn out.

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Author Topic: Vesrah gaskets (Read 5801 times)