Oopz! Advice needed.
- daveo
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Oopz! Advice needed.
29 Jun 2013 23:52 - 29 Jun 2013 23:56
I may have just created a top-end gasket project for myself...
Anyone have experience sealing a slight(?) oil leak at the base gasket without having to re-gasket?
I'm wondering if I should attempt to squeeze the gasket a little with a re-torque of the head nuts, and if that might even do any good. Being that this location is directly adjacent to the oil passage, I'm doubtful.
In the photograph, the red arrow points to the spot where I first noticed oil (a small puddle in the depression in the case) just below the corner of the cylinder.
Anyone have experience sealing a slight(?) oil leak at the base gasket without having to re-gasket?
I'm wondering if I should attempt to squeeze the gasket a little with a re-torque of the head nuts, and if that might even do any good. Being that this location is directly adjacent to the oil passage, I'm doubtful.
In the photograph, the red arrow points to the spot where I first noticed oil (a small puddle in the depression in the case) just below the corner of the cylinder.
1982 KZ1100-A2
Last edit: 29 Jun 2013 23:56 by daveo.
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- bluezbike
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Re: Oopz! Advice needed.
30 Jun 2013 02:42
Any idea what happened to create the leak? Beautiful motor by the way

79 KZ 1000 LTD
77 KZ 1000 B1 LTD (awaiting electrical resurrection)
77 KZ 1000 B1 LTD (awaiting electrical resurrection)
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- bountyhunter
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Re: Oopz! Advice needed.
30 Jun 2013 05:54 - 30 Jun 2013 05:58
Wouldn't hurt to try re torqueing the head, especially if you just built it up (motor looks like newly rebuilt). On mine, there are O rings down in the base gasket perimeter which can also cause leaks.
1979 KZ-750 Twin
Last edit: 30 Jun 2013 05:58 by bountyhunter.
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- daveo
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Re: Oopz! Advice needed.
30 Jun 2013 09:26 - 30 Jun 2013 09:28
Its been an ongoing adventure, but the last was a change-out of the cylinder head about a year ago. So it had a good while to set-in with the gaskets.
I got a little over-zealous with the throttle when a stop-light turned green yesterday, and nobody was in front of me. Moments later, nobody was behind me either. :huh:
No o-rings at the base, just the base gasket which was installed dry.
I got a little over-zealous with the throttle when a stop-light turned green yesterday, and nobody was in front of me. Moments later, nobody was behind me either. :huh:
No o-rings at the base, just the base gasket which was installed dry.
1982 KZ1100-A2
Last edit: 30 Jun 2013 09:28 by daveo.
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- crh
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Re: Oopz! Advice needed.
30 Jun 2013 09:42
Dave,
Those J motors were prone to leaking there by the dowels. Torque the head again and it might, maby, if your real lucky....stop leaking.
If you pull it apart again, take a few extra minutes and make sure the dowels slip fit into the case and block. Some case sealer on the base gasket won't hurt either....
Those J motors were prone to leaking there by the dowels. Torque the head again and it might, maby, if your real lucky....stop leaking.
If you pull it apart again, take a few extra minutes and make sure the dowels slip fit into the case and block. Some case sealer on the base gasket won't hurt either....
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- daveo
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Re: Oopz! Advice needed.
30 Jun 2013 10:13
I'll put a little more torque to em. I think it was 32-34ft. lbs. where stopped. They are the APE studs/nuts, so there is still some room to go tighter. But how much???

1982 KZ1100-A2
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- 650ed
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Re: Oopz! Advice needed.
30 Jun 2013 10:22
I would check with APE as I'm sure they have more experience with maximum torque values than most folks. Ed
1977 KZ650-C1 Original Owner - Stock (with additional invisible FIAMM horn)
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- crh
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Re: Oopz! Advice needed.
30 Jun 2013 11:19 - 30 Jun 2013 11:24
Pull 40-42 lbs on them Dave. Do it when the motor is stone cold. Personally, I put some oil on the bottom of the head nuts at assembly and a drop on the threads.Don't forget the two 6mm bolts that go into the block. Go easy on them. Stay away from the torque wrench on those. Use a 1/4 drive 10mm and do it by feel.
Last edit: 30 Jun 2013 11:24 by crh.
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- daveo
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Re: Oopz! Advice needed.
30 Jun 2013 12:32 - 30 Jun 2013 23:45
I'll go to 40lbs this afternoon, and take it for a nice, easy ride. :whistle: Judging by my past experience with luck, I'll have the head off again by tomorrow evening.
Thanks all, and will report back later...
later...it held for a little while. :huh:
Thanks all, and will report back later...
later...it held for a little while. :huh:
1982 KZ1100-A2
Last edit: 30 Jun 2013 23:45 by daveo. Reason: add text
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