Topic: 550 topend gasket/o-rings question

[tomasz]

OK, so I am about to put the top end together and I am wondering why there are so many o-rings in the top end set (Noboru), when I clearly don't remember being there so many of them when I took it apart ?
here is the list:

8 valve stem oil seals - check
4 Oil galleries o-rings - check
4 Cylinder sleeves o-rings - check
12 o-rings for the tappet covers and carb manifolds - check
... what did I miss ?, I'm still left with 8 small thin and 4 small but thick ( just like the oil gallery type) rubber o-rings... 
I don't remember seeing all this in the Clymer.  This is a '78 550 motor. 
Tomasz

[Chris in Ramsey]

tomasz, 4 of the o-rings go with the side cylinder head covers- the covers each have two dowel type plugs to close the ends of the rocker shafts.
Also, some gasket sets have more parts than needed-it seems no two suppliers put the same parts in their sets.

[Warlock]

Greets,
The remaining eight small o-rings you mention are most likely the 10x1.6mm size for the valve guides. These are used between the head and the lower portion of the valve guide when the guide is being replaced. Ordinarily, not necessary to replace, unless you are adventurous enough to replace all your valve guides.....

[aglick87]

there's another small o-ring that goes on the cam chain tensioner adjustment shaft. 

[tomasz]

thanks guys,
forgot about the tensioner shaft...  looks like i will be going back in there again...

[bryanj]

8 small thin are valve guide and 4 small thick are the two end caps---yes they will stretch to fit on!! the tensioner "O" ring comes in the genuine Honda BOTTOM set--go figure!! Also dont forget the washer on the top bolt that holds the tensioner, its a soft alloy one under the flange head of the bolt to stop leaks ALSO get the washers in the right order on the bolts holding those little HANDED angle brackets that hold the aforementioned end caps or you get a leak there. Have a nice day now!!!