Topic: CB550 K3 gasket set - any tips?

[1977_cb550k]

Hi folks,
My weeping head gasket is now too far gone to ignore, so I have to bite the bullet and replace the top-end gaskets. It’s beyond my skills so I’m getting a mechanic to do it.

Just wanted to get any tips or warnings I should be aware of?
I hear Athena gaskets are not good, but Vesra is Ok? Are Honda NOS gasket sets available? (I much prefer to use Honda parts).

Any learnings from past experience much appreciated.

Jason.

[bryanj]

It really is not adifficult job to do, the only warning is in re fitting the cam cover needs great care or you will bend valves and break valve guides.
500 and 550 top sets are identical and the only difference in full sets is the clutch cover gasket.
Not in the sets are the soft washers(alloy) between the angled steel brackets for the end caps and the cam cover which can leak oil, also the soft washer on the top bolt of tensioner mechanism which rarely leaks oil.
A respected member on the US forum ( Hondaman) has found that modern asbestos free gaskets are thicker that originals but the O rings are the same size so it is worth getting thicker cross section O rings for the oil feed passages.

[flatlander]

also not usually in the kits are the rubber pucks that go between head and rocker cover. you most likely need to order them separately, and they're available as original parts from honda.

[DaveBarbier]

I vote for Honda gaskets. You might be able to find a set or you can buy them individually. Not hard, you can go on to CMSNL, choose your bike and look through the parts diagrams. Although there HAS to be a list at this point of all part numbers needed to to a top end job. But as stated, neither the crush washers for the rocker cover screws nor the rubber pucks for the head come in gasket sets. You might be able to reuse the crush washers if you anneal them if they’re not already distorted too badly.

One tip, if you’re using a Honda head and base gasket, those go on DRY. No sealant and make sure your mechanic doesn’t use ANY silicone sealant on the o-rings and rubber gaskets, just a bit of clean engine oil.

[1977_cb550k]

Legends, thanks fellas.