Quality of the gasket included in Wiseco 1100 big bore kit for 1978 GS1000E

[philosopheriam]

Folks,

The pictures below are of the head gasket that was included with the Wiseco 1100 big bore kit for my 1978 GS1000E

It appears to be a fiber gasket with a steel core, stamped as a Victor Reinz

I have several questions:

1. Does anyone know the overall quality of this gasket?
2. Because of the size of the stud holes at the ends of the gasket, it appears that o-rings around the oil ports are NOT used - correct?
3. The gasket does not cover the area where the o-ring sits for the cam chain tunnel, thus, I am assuming that an o-ring MUST be installed around the tunnel area - correct?

Thanks for your help!

[GSX1000E]

They are made by Cometic for Wiseco. They are equal to or better than O.E.M. The C8030 is a Cometic number.

[philosopheriam]

They are made by Cometic for Wiseco. They are equal to or better than O.E.M. The C8030 is a Cometic number.

thanks! Any input on items 2 and 3?

[GSX1000E]

You are correct that the outer and center O-rings are not necessary with that gasket. On my latest GS1100G project, I used the center rectangular O-ring just because I had a spare and these cylinder had the groove in it as
it was from a '79 1000 that was sleeved. After about a thousand miles, it has not even thought about seeping yet. If your cylinder does not have the factory groove for the rectangular O-ring, I would go without it.
Also, you may wish to ask Blowerbike, teamdar, stetracer and rapid ray for their opinions on those O-rings as they all have used Cometic gaskets also.

[TeamDar]

If the cylinder has the groove for the cam chain o-ring then use one, it can only help. Just make sure that the gasket outlines the o-ring and doesn't cover it. No O-rings around the studs.

[philosopheriam]

My cylinders do in fact have a groove for the rectangular cam chain tunnel Oring - the gasket outlines this groove, as well.

The one thing my cylinders DONT have is a bolt hole in front of the cam chain tunnel - it appears on the parts fiche for my bike but mine do not have it. I'm figuring my head is of an early design where this was omitted.

Rapidray, the guy building my head, suggested I use gasgasinch on the head gasket and base gasket. I was wondering if anyone has used Permatex high-tack red sealant on their gaskets - this stuff has always served me well on older-style fiber head gaskets and it comes in a spray can. Seems like it would be ideal for a head and base gasket on a motorcycle application.

http://www.permatex.com/products-2/product-categories/gasketing/gasket-sealants/permatex-high-tack-spray-a-gasket-sealant-detail

[GSX1000E]

Philo, here is a little trick that I came up with a few years ago that I have used on the last three engine builds even if they did not have the front center bolt that Suzuki added to address this leak prone area.
So far, it has worked for thousands of miles. I also do this around the lower egg shaped O-rings that are under the cylinders.

[philosopheriam]

Is that RTV silicone, GSX?

[GSX1000E]

Pematex Ultra Black Gasket Maker. I use RTV for nothing. Junk!

[philosopheriam]

Pematex Ultra Black Gasket Maker. I use RTV for nothing. Junk!

Permatex Ultra Black *IS* RTV silicone, GSX :-)

http://www.permatex.com/products-2/product-categories/gasketing/gasket-makers/permatex-ultra-black-maximum-oil-resistance-rtv-silicone-gasket-maker-detail

[rapidray]

TRUST me on the Gasgacinch Anthony!!!
Ray.

[rustybronco]

The one thing my cylinders DONT have is a bolt hole in front of the cam chain tunnel - it appears on the parts fiche for my bike but mine do not have it. I'm figuring my head is of an early design where this was omitted.

The 1978's didn't have the boss or the bolt hole. 1979 had the boss but wasn't drilled or tapped (not 100% certain yet). 1980 had both.


Unless the MFG spec's it as not using one, that head gasket design should use cam chain tunnel o-ring.