Can a chromed valve cover cause oil leaks?

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03 Jun 2012 23:56 - 03 Jun 2012 23:58 #526693 by Kapahulu
Can a chromed valve cover cause oil leaks? was created by Kapahulu
I've had oil leak issues with my '78 KZ1000 pretty much since I bought it last summer.

This thread helped and I thought I had the oil leaks beat. Then I took a 90 mile ride and the oil was weeping again. I thought it was the cam caps. Now I'm wondering if it's the cover. This cover has been chromed and I'm wondering if the chroming makes the surfaces more prone to letting oil get past the cam cover gasket?

Does anyone else here have experience with chromed valve covers on a KZ1000?
1978 KZ1000, 1976 KZ900, 1975 H2, 1973 H1, 1973 H2, 1978 RD400, 1977 RD400, 1974 RD350
2strokeworld.com
Last edit: 03 Jun 2012 23:58 by Kapahulu.

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  • wireman
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04 Jun 2012 00:00 #526696 by wireman
Replied by wireman on topic Can a chromed valve cover cause oil leaks?
Chrome makes the surface smooth,hard for gasket to seal against it.
If you replace valve cover gasket buy a thick one from z1 enterprises and spray it down with copper coat before installing it.
Of course if youre pulling valve cover off its a good time to have the valves checked/adjusted while youre in there. B)
posting from deep under a non-descript barn in an undisclosed location southwest of Omaha.

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  • andy9802gt
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04 Jun 2012 12:22 #526777 by andy9802gt
Replied by andy9802gt on topic Can a chromed valve cover cause oil leaks?
My brother had to sand the chrome off the sealing surface of his.
'78 KZ1075 LTD
stage 1 head by Larry Cavanaugh
race built crank by John Pearson
Mikuni rs34's
k410 cams
back cut tranny
8" over D&G swinger
proving once again that age and treachery is better than youth and enthusiasm

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04 Jun 2012 13:52 #526800 by Kapahulu
Replied by Kapahulu on topic Can a chromed valve cover cause oil leaks?
I have an old KZ motor in the backyard and I took the cam cover off it last night. This week I'll change out the covers and hope to fix the problem.
1978 KZ1000, 1976 KZ900, 1975 H2, 1973 H1, 1973 H2, 1978 RD400, 1977 RD400, 1974 RD350
2strokeworld.com

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