Silicone valve cover gasket experience on a 16 valve 1100 needed

[willie]

I've used one of the Real Gasket silicone or neoprene rubber cam cover gaskets on my 1100G and really liked it. I'd like to know if anyone has had any complaints with using the same type gasket on their 16 valve engine. I understand they don't seal as well on the 16 valve engines as they do on the 8 valve heads.
Thanks,
Willie

[GSX1000E]

Besides leaking, from what I have read in this forum, they also strip your tach drive gear too. (JUNK)
(Whoops!)

[blowerbike]

Besides leaking, from what I have read in this forum, they also strip your tach drive gear too. (JUNK)

i fixed it for you

[Steve]

Willie, they will seal just fine, but as others have mentioned, the problem is the tach drive.

Since your drive is in the valve cover, not the head, it will be moved farther away from the cam, due to the thickness of the gasket. The prevents full, proper, engagement, leading to stripping of the gears.

.

[willie]

Thanks guys. I pulled the cover off today to check valve clearances and find the cause of a couple of slight leaks. I measured the non contact areas of the OEM and silicone gaskets to determine the difference in thickness. I was surprised to see only .017" in difference. Evidently, it doesn't take much to cause a problem. Looks like I'll be replacing the leaky gasket with a new OEM gasket.
Thanks again.