Topic: 1978 Honda CB750K Cam Cover Leak: Is It Worth It?

[mishrechberger]

I bought this bike last year. Iota's my first bike and I bought it for 1000$. It is experiencing oil leaks from from the front of the cam cover, mostly just by intake 3 and 4. It runs fine, but I'm thinking it could run better. I don't want to take the engine out, and I've read that it is possible to replace the cam cover gasket. However, I'm worried that if the cover becomes sealed, there will be an outbreak somewhere else, which would involve removing the engine. Is it worth it?

[754]

It's not your cam cover joint, IMO, look higher..

[mishrechberger]

Hmm... Tappet Cover you think? I don't know what else could be leaking higher than that, except that line going into the cover between tappet 3 and 4...

[754]

In the first pic, how do you think so much oil and grunge got between  the tappet covers.?
Follow that line, see what it is ?
 Where in Canada Are You ?

[mishrechberger]

Thanks for the insight... I will give the tappets and cover screws a good retorque and see what changes.

[mishrechberger]

Where in Canada Are You ?

Ottawa, not B.C unfortunately 

[754]

No it's not them, torquing them further won't help unless they are loose.

[PeWe]

Tacho oil seal can also leak. Be careful when taking it out with a sharp hook like dentists use.

[754]

I will be changing mine soon.  I made a tool for it.. will start a thread on it when I do. .

[mishrechberger]

Sweet, I think the tacho seal is leaking for sure.

[754]

I wrapa bit of paper towel around mine held with ziptie, catches the oil for a few days.
 I made a tool that involves a bit of lathe work and drilling.. works real good.
 If you fish the seal out with a pick, very important not to catch the shaft.
But first you need a seal.

[ekpent]

 Looks like a tach seal to me also.Cheap and fairly easy fix. Wipe and clean the area well and ride it and see if it is seeping up there.