Topic: 1978 cb550 top end rebuild results and question

[mbryan]

Finished my top end rebuild.  Thanks to all here for answering questions and for the knowledge base for me to reference. Motor started up with no issues and it runs great.  Still need to sync my carbs though.

One snag though.....my valve cover is seeping under the number one and two valve tappet cover areas.  I have a new gasket in this area and I put an allen bolt kit that replaces all the screws as well.  I dont remember this area being damaged in any way and am hard pressed to see why I have a leak.  The only thing i can think of is the gasket is pinched or out of sorts in some fashion. Any tips to see if i can get it to stop?.....or just go back into it and try another gasket?  If i go back into it and dont see any issues with the current gasket or the surface.....any other tips to stop the leak?

[wolf550]

could be the new aftermarket gasket is skinnier than an oem gasket.
there could be some chunks missing in the valley where the gasket sits.
the area where the rocker cover and cylinder head meet is not parallel requiring you to deck the areas (but I wouldn't think so)

I have done the permatex black gasket maker to make my own for this and for the oil pan gasket after the new ones I put in were not thick enough.

there are a couple threads on here with this problem that helped me out with leaks.
I also had replaced my bolts with allen head bolts but went back to the philips screws after over tightening a few and having to helicoil them.

[mbryan]

Yup....I did do some searching here and saw  the use of the black gasket maker.  I also saw the use of  some sort of silicone in the valley where the gasket normally sits.  Couple of things.....

1.  I have never used the black gasket maker.  Any tips for doing this?  I assume I clean all oil off and squirt a 1/8 in or so bead all around. Then very very carefully put the cover on and try not to smear it and make it go into the engin.  Also.....do I put a bead o. All mating surfaces or just the perimeter.....like the mating surface around the pucks?  Any best practices tips would help.

2.  Using some sort of silicone to put I to the valley where the gasket goes.....let it set up for an hour or more and install seems like it is safer and more controlled  to me.  What is the best product for this method?  I assume all oil on all mating surfaces should be gone and try to have as even a bead possible in the gasket valley.  I also assume the hours waiting is so the stuff doesn't squish out into any oil passages.

I did have one bolt that I stripped.....now I am super careful on how I tighten them all. 

[bryanj]

Take the gasket maker and silicone and throw them as far away as you can unless you want a destroyed engine!!!!!!.
Buy a Honda rocker gasket(O ring) and replace it carefully, those cap screws can be a problem with the heads stopping the tappet caps fitting

[DaveBarbier]

Take the gasket maker and silicone and throw them as far away as you can unless you want a destroyed engine!!!!!!.
Buy a Honda rocker gasket(O ring) and replace it carefully, those cap screws can be a problem with the heads stopping the tappet caps fitting

+1
No gasket maker! Use OEM gaskets

[mbryan]

Ok.....will try an OEM gasket first and go from there. 

[mbryan]

One question......do I need to replace the pucks when I go into it and change the gasket?  The motor has had only two heat cycles. 

[DaveBarbier]

Nah, you’ll be fine.

[mbryan]

Found it.....took the valve cover off and found the gasket was cut in one place and smashed to pieces in another.  When I installed it the gasket must of fell out the groove and I did not notice. 

I put a new one in and put some very small dabs of Honda bond in the valley to hold it in place while setting everything down.  Cranked it and so far no leaks at all.

Thanks again for all the help.

[DaveBarbier]

Nice, glad it worked out and was something easy.