Advice while 850 is apart

[FINNDIAN]

I resurected a 1979 GS 850 G from 20 years of garage rest recently.

I only cleaned the carbs, changed the oil and put new rubber on so far. I've put about 1000 miles on it to verify it was worth more.

It's been great so far and with about 40 000 miles on the clock I figured it was good to put a little money into.

Having a rusted out old exhaust system I figured the first step was to get something new on it. Thinking of grabbing an aftermarket 4 in 2 from ebay.

The problem is the cylinder exhaust bolt were very seized. 3 would not come out after applying my 20 years of mechanical skills and tricks.

It all boils down to the cyliner head now being on the work bench. All exhaust bolt holes are now good to go.

Now since it's apart should I do more??

I've tested the valve seats by leaving the head sit upside down with the combustion chambers full of varsol with no leakage after a few hours of sitting. Seems good in the valve seat department to me.

For those who are very familiar with the engine.
1. Should I change the base gasket (haven't removed cylinder yet)
2. If so should I put new rings. (didnt' check compression but it ran well and didn't smoke)
3. Valve seals. (they are 33 years old)
4. Any other things I should be concerned about?

Thanks in advance
Gord

[Nessism]

For those who are very familiar with the engine.
1. Should I change the base gasket (haven't removed cylinder yet) YES
2. If so should I put new rings. (didnt' check compression but it ran well and didn't smoke) YES
3. Valve seals. (they are 33 years old) YES
4. Any other things I should be concerned about? Use original Suzuki gaskets

Thanks in advance
Gord

Hope this helps

[BassCliff]

Hi,

In for a penny, in for a pound. Do it all right while you're in there. Then you won't have to worry about it for 100,000 miles or so.


Thank you for your indulgence,

BassCliff

[airbornespud]

that depends on how mad you would be at yourself for not doing it the first time when you have to tear it down again.

[FINNDIAN]

Thanks . Rings and valve shims on order. The intakes were very tight. Exhausts were ok.
Suzuki gaskets eh. I had ordered an Athena kit. Is it all bad?
I know I've experienced crap head gaskets before.
Should I get an OEM head and base and use the other stuff out of the aftermarket kit? Or is out all bad?

[Nessism]

Thanks . Rings and valve shims on order. The intakes were very tight. Exhausts were ok.
Suzuki gaskets eh. I had ordered an Athena kit. Is it all bad?
I know I've experienced crap head gaskets before.
Should I get an OEM head and base and use the other stuff out of the aftermarket kit? Or is out all bad?

I know for a fact that Athena base gaskets are BAD. They are too soft and extrude out of place under the clamp load. The MLS head gaskets seem decent as near as I can tell. The various other gaskets are sort of porous and some members here have complained about weepage, but I don't have any personal experience.