Minor head repairs (hopefully)

[Dogma]

I have a couple of hopefully minor issues with my head (the important one) and I'm hoping you all can help me out once again.

First, my cam cover leaks oil. I first repaired this last spring with Permatex, but that has begun leaking again. I have accepted that I should have a real gasket in there, but the problem is that a gouged the head a couple time getting the old (at least 14 years) gasket off. What is the best way to repair a gouge that might be as deep as .7mm? Is there a trick with epoxy that can fill it back in?

The next issue is far less important to me. One of the tapped holes for the exhaust header clamps is stripped, and I can sometime hear a popping sound from that header. (maybe it's cam noise, my first set of cam shims is also on my to-do list). Is there any reason I shouldn't Heli-Coil this?


Thanks in advance gang.

[Nessism]

Heil-coil or a threaded insert should work. For the gasket surface repair, I'd clean the old gasket off very carefully and fill the low spots with careful application of sealer.

Good luck.

[psyguy]

i heli-coiled all the header threads and no problems so far. make sure you use anti-seize on the bolts.

[psyguy]

you can have gasket surfaces machined to get (once again) perfectly flat mating surface. new gasket lightly greased and you shouldn't have problems, ever.

[Dogma]

Thanks guys. That's about what I was hoping to hear. But what is anti-sieze? that's a new one to me. It sounds like the opposite of Thread-Loc.

[psyguy]

Thanks guys. That's about what I was hoping to hear. But what is anti-sieze? that's a new one to me. It sounds like the opposite of Thread-Loc.

high temperature resistant grease (high melting point), so it doesn't readily melt under engine temperatures
use it on the spark plugs too for easy replacement

[twr1776]

I use anti-sieze on almost everything. It will keep threads from rusting and oxidizing. With the large amount of steel fasteners going into alumimum on these bikes it is a must have along with the Dielectric grease for the electrics. Any auto parts store should have what you need. Permatex is a popular brand although I do not think there is generally a huge quality difference between brands.

http://www.permatex.com/products/automotive/b_lubricants/specialty_lubricants.htm

[tkent02]

To fix your gouges, clean it with carb cleaner or better yet use ether since it leaves no residue. Patch the damage with JB Weld, smooth it with a blade. It will last forever. Then get one of those silicone gaskets, from RealGasket. That will last forever too.
Job done.