Cleaning a 79 GS100 Head.

[Guest]

Hi all,

So I have a head that I want to check out and possibly install in my 79 GS1000. Right now I'm disassembling it.... and wondering how to best clean it.

If I'm going to glass bead it, I"m assuming I should remove the valves? Just thought maybe beading the valve surfaces might be good, but I assume the beading is best if it can get into the nooks and crannies and to allow all the beads to escape.

Anyway, clearly new to this part cleaning thing. Any suggestions appreciated before I remove the valves.

[chuck hahn]

Blasting isnt a problem. Just go around the seats unless you are planning on recutting them. I dont think the beads would hurt them but why risk it is my approach. I would put rags over the valve guides too just to be sure they dont get pitted where the stem seals seal against them. Other than that I would blast away.

[Nessism]

The problem with bead blasting is the media will get into the internal oil galley passages unless you are really careful. Suzuki drilled various oil galley passages though the head to distribute oil, then they sealed the passages with plugs. It's a real pain to clean the passages after the fact (don't ask me how I know). You might want to try soda or get the head hydro-blasted, or what ever they call it. Less risky.

[kdo58]

i took my head apart and put it in the dishwasher, i was amazed how clean it got.

[ShadowFocus603]

i took my head apart and put it in the dishwasher, i was amazed how clean it got.

I choked a little when I read this lol. Either your significant other is very forgiving or she didn't know. Thanks for the laugh.

[posplayr]

HF wall it shells work pretty well and do not hurt the metal and are pretty easy to clean out. Do search for my saga.

[Big T]

HF wall it shells work pretty well and do not hurt the metal and are pretty easy to clean out. Do search for my saga.

That's walnut shells to the OP

There's a lot of media available to blast with - beads and aluminum oxide will strip away aggressively, but leave lots of residue behind

Walnut shells, soda and wet blasting are less aggressive, but may not clean the head up as well. There's a number of other media available, including dry ice

There's also hot tanking and the dishwasher

You do need to degrease it first, regardless of what media you use

Post up a picture of the head and let's see how bad it looks

[RobertGS]

Here's a couple of shots of the head.









Another question is the head gasket. I have an OEM one bought for a 79 GS850. It seems to fit except for what seem to be an additional hole at the exhaust end of the cam tunnel.. Here's a picture. Can I use this gasket?