NOS Gasket, surface rust

I managed to win a NOS, unopened, top end rebuild gasket set for $17.

When it showed up, first thing I noticed was that the copper exhaust gaskets had oxidized a bit. No big deal, but then I noticed a bit of surface rust on the head gasket. Nothing huge, a bit of lime away should take it right off.

The big question is, can I still use it, or is it not worth the risk?

Better head gasket description would help.
Example for me, I use one piece copper head gasket and when I take motor apart to reuse the gasket I heat it up in the oven and anneal it . Then clean it with scotchbrite to be ready to reinstall .
Is your gasket just a composite gasket with a little metal at the bores ??? A little oxidation can carefully be cleaned from
the metal with no ill effects
As always pictures would help
Dave

What bike is this for?

As far as I understand Kawasaki (Japan) didn't sell gasket kits, but the US distributer had an accessory gasket kit they sourced local (not the same gaskets as Japan sells).

I bought a NOS kit for my 750E and the gaskets were all dried out and brittle as glass. Wound up sending it back. Discoloration on the copper gaskets is the least of your troubles.

I'll post some pictures tonight. It is for an 82, 750H.

All the rubber bits are fine, base and valve gaskets are not brittle. If the head gasket is ruined, I can't complain. $17 for new rubber bits is well worth it.

I'll get better pictures when I'm home from work.

Okay, my bad. For some reason I was thinking OEM gaskets.

That's an old aftermarket Vesrah kit. Never the best quality and now (possibly) hard and brittle.

Those copper rings are exhaust gaskets. No worry with them turning dark or even green.

Nessism wrote: Okay, my bad. For some reason I was thinking OEM gaskets.

That's an old aftermarket Vesrah kit. Never the best quality and now (possibly) hard and brittle.

Those copper rings are exhaust gaskets. No worry with them turning dark or even green.

Agree with above.
I would buy new Cometic brand gaskets for what ever you are short
Dave

Nessism wrote: What bike is this for?

As far as I understand Kawasaki (Japan) didn't sell gasket kits, but the US distributer had an accessory gasket kit they sourced local (not the same gaskets as Japan sells).

I bought a NOS kit for my 750E and the gaskets were all dried out and brittle as glass. Wound up sending it back.

I got a set that looked OK (Athena?) but all the "green" gaskets hardened and disintegrated after heating up. I had to tear the engine completely down and replace them all. Obviously I will never again use suspect gaskets.

Street Fighter LTD wrote:

Nessism wrote: Okay, my bad. For some reason I was thinking OEM gaskets.

That's an old aftermarket Vesrah kit. Never the best quality and now (possibly) hard and brittle.

Those copper rings are exhaust gaskets. No worry with them turning dark or even green.

Agree with above.
I would buy new Cometic brand gaskets for what ever you are short
Dave

Anyone have a link to a good supplier of these?

I recommend OEM Kawasaki gaskets. Tried and true. You can find good deal on ebay or purchase from Partzilla, Bike Bandit, local dealership source, etc.

If you pull the head be sure to pull the cylinder off too and replace the base gasket and associated seals. It's very poor planning to pull the head but not replace the base gasket at the same time.