Author Topic: Leaking head cover gasket - new SS bolts w/ anti-sieze, so torque is different?  (Read 688 times)

0 Members and 2 Guests are viewing this topic.

Offline Tugboat

  • Puppet
  • Master
  • *****
  • Posts: 1,778
  • '75 CB750K + '67 CL90 + '71 CT90
    • PseudoMoto
Before I put this motor in the frame earlier this year I had pulled the head cover off to take a look inside. It turned out to be fine, but when I replaced the gasket & cover (after thoroughly cleaning the gasket surfaces) I put new stainless Allen bolts in, and used anti-sieze on 'em. I think I torqued them down less than spec since I used the anti-sieze. Now I'm weeping oil there - not terrible, but it would be nice if it didn't lead at all ;)

I guess my question is: how much more torque can I apply? Or: what is the correct torque value dry, and is it true that the "wet" value should be less?
If it's worth doing, it's worth doing twice.

Offline luap

  • LAWL
  • Expert
  • ****
  • Posts: 779
my buddy used the Ss bolt kit for a 550 an we torqued them down to the book spec
could be the gasket itself, I like the vesrah
75-550 ffsc sold, 78-550 diamonte sold, 125s grasshopper sold, 76-550 puma sold, 78-550 tracker sold, 74-550 verde diablo Sold, 74-550 Noemani finished trying to sell. 72 500 hartail in the works
www.cb-town.com
"I dont need a bike covered in paint an chrome I know exactally bout how big my coc( is"

Offline ekpent

  • Really Old Timer ...
  • *******
  • Posts: 13,508
  • To many bikes-but lookin' for more
Are you talking a 750 engine and the part your talking about is the large top cam/valve cover ?  Since those were held on by philips screws I don't think there really is the standard type of bolt torque to apply with those. Maybe just needs to be tighter if that gasket was good. Could it be leaking from the tach seal or somewhere else ?

Offline MCRider

  • Such is the life of a
  • Really Old Timer ...
  • *******
  • Posts: 14,376
  • Today's Lesson: One good turn deserves another.
Are you talking a 750 engine and the part your talking about is the large top cam/valve cover ?  Since those were held on by philips screws I don't think there really is the standard type of bolt torque to apply with those. Maybe just needs to be tighter if that gasket was good. Could it be leaking from the tach seal or somewhere else ?
Assuming CB750: generic torque on 6mm screws is 5 to 8 ft lbs. I'd take it in tiny increments until the leak stops.

http://www.salocal.com/sohc/tech/torquetable.htm

Opinions about wet or dry are all over the map. We don't know if the torques in the manual are wet or dry. To be safe, some say, use 20% less off the highest number. That would take the 6mm screw to 6.4 ft lbs. That's still a lot for those IMO. You should be able to stop the leak before that.  If you're already at 6.5, well its up to you.

http://www.dansmc.com/bolts2.htm

On an aside, IMO the anti seize is used to avoid the chemical reaction between the aluminum and the SS. When exposed to elements. Since the screw threads are hidden, the need is small to Nil. Where it needs to be is under the head of the screw where it meets the aluminum of the cover and is exposed to the elements. That's where the stick occurs.
« Last Edit: January 12, 2012, 06:02:16 PM by MCRider »
Ride Safe:
Ron
1988 NT650 HawkGT;  1978 CB400 Hawk;  1975 CB750F -Free Bird; 1968 CB77 Super Hawk -Ticker;  Phaedrus 1972 CB750K2- Build Thread
"Sometimes the light's all shining on me, other times I can barely see, lately it appears to me, what a long, strange trip its been."