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O ring on KZ1000J cyl. block or silicone?
- barney
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Any thoughts?
Barney
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- jackleberry
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Be sure your problem isn't just that you're not re-torquing the cylinder head nuts after the first few rides. That head gasket will compress a lot initially.
The problem with the o-rings themselves is just that they're too damn thin. You can shop around and use the thickest one. Or you could make your own. Here's an interesting technique:
I'd love to go to a one-piece gasket myself, but have never found one that I was certain would fit. Once you go to a big bore kit, there are plenty available, but not so much for the stock bore.
1997 KZ1000P (P16)
2001 KZ1000P (P20)
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- barney
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- jackleberry
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barney wrote: Jacklberry I don't think that method of making silicon O-rings would work since the o ring im talking about is a unusual shape
That's precisely why it would work. You'd just have to make the mold in the same unusual shape instead of a circle...
The problem with just slathering RTV in there and bolting on the head is that
1) It gets everywhere and is a PITA to clean out the next time
2) Unless it actually adheres to the surfaces, then it's just as useless as a too-thin rubber o-ring.
By making your own in a mold, you can theoretically make it thicker so that when installed it is compressed and the elasticity of the rubber is what makes the seal. This is how the stock o-rings are supposed to work, but they're often manufactured too thin.
FWIW, I just put a head back on with just the aftermarket 2-piece gasket and aftermarket o-ring and so far have no signs of a leak. I think I just got lucky this time and got either a thicker o-ring or a thinner head gasket.
1997 KZ1000P (P16)
2001 KZ1000P (P20)
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- SWest
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- 10 22 2014
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Steve
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- jackleberry
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swest wrote: I'm done with O rings forever. If you get the big bore head gasket, it will work and fill the groove with silicon, put it together wet. No leaks and the slightly larger bore area won't be a problem
Steve
Don't you think a 73mm bore head gasket on 69.5 cylinders would hurt compression? At least until the gap fills up with carbon, which could be a long time. Most of the big bore gaskets I've seen are copper too, which requires "o-ringing" the cylinders.
1997 KZ1000P (P16)
2001 KZ1000P (P20)
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- barney
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- SWest
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Steve
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- zed1015
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If you are using a 2 piece head gasket you MUST use the rubber 'O' ring.barney wrote: Steve the motor is .5mm overbore and im using OEM 2 piece gaskets. How would II applyit with a two piece?
Just using silicone is no substitute, it will NOT do the job of the 'O' ring and WILL get blown out by crankcase pressure causing a major oil leak.
Only use silicone on its own in the groove when using a ONE piece gasket.
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- Irish Yobbo
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There's nothing wrong with the o-rings - they're specifically designed to do that job.
1981 KZ750 LTD
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- SWest
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- barney
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