Topic: 78 550 replace cylinder head gasket. need to remove engine?

[73hutch]

i'm not sure if this has been addressed on here already, if so, i apologize. i have a 78 honda 550. it has a significant amount of oil coming out of the cylinder head gasket. the base gasket has no leakage at all, so i feel like i don't have to mess with it. my question is if i remove the breather and cam cover can i remove the cylinder head and and replace that gasket without taking the engine off the bike. it looks like it's possible, but very tight fit between the frame. the guy at cycle-recycle here in indy seemed to think i could do it. i was just wondering if anyone has done it before?

[cafe750]

You can try and retorque the head, and see if that makes the leak go away. Or, you can change the head gasket with the engine in the bike, but, if you change the head gasket, you do have to change the base gasket.

[Glenn Stauffer]

if you change the head gasket, you do have to change the base gasket.

Never heard that one before.  I've replaced one CB550 head gasket and didn't do the base gasket.  I was only told that you should do that if you separated things at the base while trying to get the headgasket free.

[Gordon]

Never heard that one before.  I've replaced one CB550 head gasket and didn't do the base gasket.  I was only told that you should do that if you separated things at the base while trying to get the headgasket free.

+1

[cafe750]

 I was told that by a couple of old Honda techs. They had told me that it was a something that was a good procedure to practice, due to the possibility of inadvertently "breaking the seal" while trying to get everything apart....so in turn, it was just something that I did, while I had everything apart.....

[Cvillechopper]

If you are careful when separating the head, no need to replace the base gasket unless you've already got a leak.  Just make sure you've got ALL of the nuts off before you start trying to pull the head and go slow.  As long as you don't pull up on the jugs (and most likely even if you do a little) you'll not need to worry about the base.

[bryanj]

We always replaced every thing from base gasket upwards if the head came off as it only had to move a fraction and you got a leak, then the customer was back and you had to do a "free" job, Also it was always easiier to get gasket sets rather than just a head gasket PLUS all the bits of rubber you need as well

[73hutch]

thanks for the help everyone. just to make sure, i don't  have to remove the engine to do both gaskets?

[number13]

You are correct. On the 500s and 550s you
can remove the breather, valve train, head
and jugs with the engine in the frame.
Now get to it!

[bryanj]

Its actually easier with the engine in as the secret additive )#$%*e) collects arround the studs and fills in the holes at the basemeaning it lifts easy then is a swine to get past thenthreads at the top of the studs.

MOST IMPORTANT--clean the threads on the studs and nuts properly so the nuts spin free or you wont get the right torque