Suzuki Head gasket?

[Guest]

I purchased this off of Ebay. It was advertised as a genuine NOS Suzuki head gasket. It has no markings, numbers or "this side up" mark. Could this be a genuine NOS Suzuki head gasket? The seller offers a money back gaurantee.

[Matchless]

Its hard to see much on those small pictures. Maybe if you post some larger ones it may help. Did you get the cam chain opening o-ring as well?

[snyderman]

If you click on the 2nd picture, it should give you a larger view. I did not get a cam chain opening o-ring.

[chef1366]

Looks like a Zook composite gasket.

[Matchless]

If you click on the 2nd picture, it should give you a larger view. I did not get a cam chain opening o-ring.

Ok, that seems to be a composite gasket. It requires the seperate rectangular o-ring for the camchain opening as well. It seems as if the crush washers for sealing the oil around the stud holes are there or are those small rubber o-rings in the holes?

Unfortunately I cannot confirm whether its aftermarket or OEM, although it looks like good quality and in good condition.

[mike_of_bbg]

Looks like one I bought off eBay a while ago, was in a baggie with a Zuk sticker on it (not that one couldn't be faked).

[rustybronco]

Looks like OEM to me.

http://s32.photobucket.com/albums/d4...9.jpg&newest=1 the top one is an A/M gasket (IBCO).

[SqDancerLynn1]

The fact that the O ring is part of the gasket says OEM

[snyderman]

Thanks for all the responses. It sounds like the gasket is a Suzuki, and should be OK for me to use. I will look for a cam chain o-ring. As there is no "this side up" I assume that to mean that either side can be up? Because the o-rings are attached, I assume that I don't need separate o-rings (except for the forementioned cam chain o-ring)? I am doing all this for the first time, using my Clymer book as a guide. Any advice, watchouts, or other words of wisdom as always, are greatly appreciated!

[mike_of_bbg]

No outer o-rings required; just the cam chain o-ring. Soak the o-ring in hot water for a bit so it returns to it's rectangular shape, and use a very little bit of 3-bond to stick it in place before bolting down the head so it doesn't squirm around. There's probably going to be a "smoother side" to the head gasket, which traditionally would go down I think. Otherwise it's symmetrical.

Are you replacing the base gasket as well? They are difficult not to disturb with removing the head (yet, ironically, can be difficult to get completely off). It is highly recommended that you go with an OEM base gasket.

Are you leaking oil from the head gasket? You didn't say why you were replacing it.

[snyderman]

Thanks Mike, I bought this bike in non-running condition. I had to remove the head and apply direct force to the pistons to get it unstuck. I had a shop do a valve job and measure the bores and pistons. They are good so I had them hone the cylinders. They are done so I am getting new rings and gaskets and preparing to put it back together. I wiil look for a Suzuki base gasket. How about the other gaskets? As for the cam chain o-ring, can I reuse mine if it is OK?

[mike_of_bbg]

Considering all that you've put out to get it this far, I'd go ahead and use a new o-ring. Yeah $20 is a bit excessive for an o-ring but you probably don't want to go doing this again any time soon.

[snyderman]

I agree. Where is a good place to get this gasket?

[mike_of_bbg]

Pick your OEM vendor. The lowest-price OEM vendors I've found for most parts are gssuzuki.com and Boulevard Suzuki. I've had satisfactory service from both. If all you're getting is the o-ring and you have a local dealer, the discount from an online vendor is likely less than the shipping on a $20 part.

BikeBandit ships OEM parts pretty quickly, though their OEM part prices aren't great. But, if you're thinking about ordering other stuff from them anyway...

[earlfor]

Thanks Mike, I bought this bike in non-running condition. I had to remove the head and apply direct force to the pistons to get it unstuck. I had a shop do a valve job and measure the bores and pistons. They are good so I had them hone the cylinders. They are done so I am getting new rings and gaskets and preparing to put it back together.

I wiil look for a Suzuki base gasket. How about the other gaskets? As for the cam chain o-ring, can I reuse mine if it is OK?

I think that is a good idea. I normally replace both head and base gaskets. Re-torqued base gaskets usually do not re seal well and you just end up doing the job a 2nd time.

Earl