Need some opinions please - cyl head washers

I am preparing to reassemble my engine and have a question regarding the cylinder head washers. According to Kawasaki, I need 4 copper washers and 8 steel washers. I had copper for all 12, but they are $4.00 each from Bike Bandit! Should I go with all copper or is it ok to use the steel on the other 8 studs? Also, does anyone know where these can be bought other than a dealer? I thought APE might offer them with their cylinder head nuts, but I haven't been able to find them. You help would be appreciated.


Thanks!

The 4 coppers go on the 4 corners but I have used copper on all 12 for years.........mod

I used copper washers from www.mcmastercarr.com . Lots cheaper than the dealer price.

Well, I FINALLY got around to measuring my copper washers and got them ordered from Mcmastercarr. They were a little over $1 each vs $4 each from Kaw. I also needed a specialty bolt that they have in stock, so I ordered that too. I just went ahead and got copper for all 12 studs. Thanks for the tips!

Is it OK to re-use cylinder head bolts? Mine are from APE and were never taken apart until now. They don't look too great (rust), but I'm sure I can clean and paint them if they are OK to use again.

savedrider wrote:

I used copper washers from www.mcmastercarr.com . Lots cheaper than the dealer price.

Interesting they are available from mcmastercarr. A good tip. I horde the old copper ones and always use copper on the engines I rebuild. The reason for the copper on the outside studs is the oilways coming up the stud holes in the cylinder block on the outside studs - the copper washer provide a better seal as they crush down (as long as you anneal them).

How and why do you anneal them. Can you reuse a copper head gasket this way?:side:

you anneal them by heating them uo really good and tossing them in a bucket of water.this swells them to origional size and softens them.you can do it with a copper head gasket but its harder to control the thickness .

I normally hang 2 or 3 together on a long hook made from an old metal coat hanger. Heat them up with a propane torch till they are "cherry red", they will glow bright red, then drop them in a bowl of cold water.