Head gasket - which side up?

[Guest]

I haven't posted here in a while because after tearing down the motor of my 1980 GS850 several months ago, cleaning and painting the cylinder, I sort of ran out of steam.
But this is the summer when I finally put it back together! So last night I installed my new cylinder rings and with only some frustration, was able to wiggle the cylinder block back on.

In placing the new head gasket on, my Haynes manual said I should fit the gasket "so that the widest turned edges of the cylinder bore reinforcement inserts are facing downwards." I was thinking this was a reference to that shiny metal rim around the gasket opening for the cylinders. I've flipped the gasket back and forth and can't see any difference between either side.

Is there a proper way to place this gasket that I'm missing? It's good to be back on this site. I love my Bandit, but I'm excited about getting my old GS up and running again.

[mikerophone]

Along for the ride - I'll be doing one of my 850's soon.

You should download the real manual from basscliffs site although I'm sure someone will answer you in the morning.

[mikerophone]

Page 67 has this, sounds like the gasket is flanged and the wider opening goes down:

[oldgsfan]

Thanks! I actually do have the shop manual which I downloaded a few years ago, but hadn't read it. Was just relying on Haynes. As I try to pick this project up again after such a long hiatus, I realized there are some steps I need to do first -- such as rebuild the cylinder head and order some new valve guides. Didn't realize I had to replace those until I read the shop manual. Haynes only mentions the seals, not the guides.

[mikerophone]

Excellent - glad to hear you have the manual. The Haynes should be a reference, at best. The shop manual is the right source. I'll be tackling the same job at some point hopefully this summer, I have so many projects going, we'll see how that goes. Best of luck and post come pics and updates as you go!

[Sam 78 GS750]

Thanks! I actually do have the shop manual which I downloaded a few years ago, but hadn't read it. Was just relying on Haynes. As I try to pick this project up again after such a long hiatus, I realized there are some steps I need to do first -- such as rebuild the cylinder head and order some new valve guides. Didn't realize I had to replace those until I read the shop manual. Haynes only mentions the seals, not the guides.

The shop manual makes it look like it's easy and necessary to replace the valve guides. It's not. Follow the procedure to check the guides, and as long as there is nothing wrong, leave them be and just replace the seals. I'm sure someone more experienced in this area will chime in and confirm this, but I just went through a similar misunderstanding myself after reading through the service manual.

[oldgsfan]

Thanks. I'm going to do the test on the valve guides and go from there. I'll be sure to update my progress.

[mikerophone]

Please do. Post some more pictures too if you can, I'll be following along.