Head gasket

[new bob]

I just got my new head gasket for my 1980 GS1100E,and the new one does not have the rubber around the oil supply holes or the hole where the cam chain opening is like the one I took off.This is a genuine Suzuki head gasket from bike bandit.Should I be concerned about this? THANKS

[DanTheMan]

I would be. You need the rubber o-rings to prevent oil leakage at those two little bolts, and it must have the slotted hole and rubber insert gasket for the cam chain. It doesn't sound right to me. And I know, the o-rings and the camchain valley gasket aren't really rubber, they're some sort of polymeric compound that doesn't deteriorate from oil like rubber does.

[rapidray]

Watch out when you are taking people's advice & WHO you are taking it from. An 850 engine is NOT designed the same as an 1100 16 valve engine nor does it seal the same in the head gasket area. The gasket you were sent, IF it is a SUZUKI gasket, will work fine. I build these 1100/1150 engines more than most on this site & have been doing so since they first came out. No offense meant here, Dan, but they don't seal the same way an 850 does. Ray.

[DanTheMan]

Sorry, I was thinking 8 valve, my bad.

[Nessism]

Suzuki changed the gaskets over the years as well so that may explain why the new one looks different than the old.

[rapidray]

Sorry, I was thinking 8 valve, my bad.

No harm, no foul! We are all just trying to help each other & share our knowledge. I get caught misreading stuff too. Sooner or later we all make a mistake. Ray.

[chef1366]

Check the mating surfaces. They need to be even or you will leak.