Gasket question

[jace09]

I have looked up how people put in new gaskets, and wanted to ask a specific question.

Do you use a gasket prep for any or all of your gaskets, if so what do you use?

Thanks
Kimo

[Nessism]

If your gasket surfaces are properly clean, and you use original Suzuki gaskets, there shouldn't be any leakage. Some people like to use grease on the valve cover gasket to assure it doesn't stick, but gasket sealer isn't necessary.

[jace09]

So is $114.00 right for an OEM head gasket from a dealer? And i am seeing 2 models of cam covers for my 82 GS850, how do i know which one i have?

[BassCliff]

Hi,

$144.00 is the retail price. You can get it a little cheaper from an online vendor ($90 from partshark.com), but then you have to pay shipping.

Count the number of bolt holes in your valve cover. Order the valve cover gasket with the same number of holes. Yours should be the 19 bolt hole gasket.


Thank you for your indulgence,

BassCliff

[Steve]

Your gasket may depend on the production date of your bike.

Some time, either just before or during, the '82 production run, Suzuki changed from a 16-bolt to a 19-bolt pattern on the 850. Not sure if there were a few of the early '82s that still had the 16-bolt head, but it's more likely that you will need the 19.

Easy way to tell, without actually counting all the bolts:
Look at the very front of the valve cover, where there is a bulge for the sprocket and cam chain. Is there a bolt on the side of the bulge? Another easy 'tell' is to look along the back edge of the intake side, right over the carburetors. Are there 2 or 3 bolts on each side?

The extra bolt on each side of the rear edge and the single extra bolt up front are the extras that make the difference.

.

[jace09]

Ok, so I know that since I have it open I should be replacing other things when I have the header off and even some things with the cam cover too. But setting that aside for a moment, what is the necessary components that need when replacing the head gasket and cam gasket?

It's really a money thing, and with the OEM header gasket being as pricy as it is. I wma hoping everything else is good inside. Course I never know, but let's hope for the best

[TeamDar]

You could check with a Wiseco dealer or Cometic on a head gasket. The head gasket that they use for the 77-79 GS750 big bore kit is the same as your GS850. (69mm). Probably around $50. I have used the head gaskets that come with the Wiseco big bore kits and have never had a leak. Dar

[jace09]

So is this the one for my GS850 from Cometic?

http://www.shopengineparts.com/productdetails.aspx?emid=535&cid=167&pid=6388&vtype=Street&make=Suzuki&model=GS+850+2+Valve+-+()&type=model

And is this the one from Wiseco?

http://www.wiseco.com/ProductDetail.aspx?ItemID=W2487&ModelID=549&ModelYear=1978&AppID=7463

Those prices are nice, but need to now i am looking at the right one for my engine.

[TeamDar]

Those would work.

[mpencegs]

If you are replacig the head gasket then you will prob need to replace the base gasket as it tends to become unsealed when removing the head.. Honing your cylinders and cleaning your pistons shpuld be done as well. No real cost..

[jace09]

If i go that deep (which i forgot that taking the head off would loosen the the base gasket as well, thank you for that info) shouldnt i replace the piston rings as well? Or would those be ok to use again?

[BassCliff]

Hi,

In for a penny, in for a pound. The ring sets are not cheap, around $30-$40 for each cylinder, depending on where you buy.


Thank you for your indulgence,

BassCliff

[jace09]

Yeah that figures.

BassCliff, do you have or do you know where i can see a video or a step by step top end rebuild? I am going to be doing my carb rebuild based on your tutorial, but if i am going to do that much on the engine i want somthing to follow.

Thanks