A Question for those that have pulled their head.

Hey guys. I had to pull the head to deal with broken intake studs and am ready to put everything back together. I know that Yamaha recommends replacing the CAM TUNNEL GASKET whenever you remove the head, but I'm wondering if any of you wrenchers out there have reused it? What exactly is that gasket for?? It almost seems like it's more of a spacer to keep the head from warping than it is a traditional 'gasket' to seal a joint between parts....the collective wisdom of the forum shall prevail.... 8)

 

I've reused and replace that gasket before. When I reused the gasket it leaked so I pulled the head again and put high temp gasket maker on the gasket and reused it agian (this time no leaks). But if your pulling the head you should get a new head gasket so while your at it its probably worth your while to get a cam tunnel gasket. I would also get a new cam chain tensioner gasket as I have had a really hard to track down leak that came from it.

If your thinking about reusing you have to rememeber that you may pull the head and find the gasket to be ruined and definitly in need of replacement, in which case your a little bit screwed because you didn't order the part.

I think that if your ordering from Chacal that his prices are resonable enough to make it worth your while to just get new gaskets. (Or you could get a complete gasket set and then you could really 'go to town' on the bike.

 

Head's already off and everything is cleaned and ready for re-assembly.The 'gasket I'm referring to isn't made of gasket material. It's a thin metal 'gasket' with little clips to center and hold in place around the cam chain tunnel. There was no damage to this gasket when I removed the head. I have a new gasket that goes between the jugs and the head. I will be getting all my gaskets from Chacal , and yes , his prices are very reasonable! But even with Chacal this is a $70 'gasket'. The fact that it is metal is what brings to question it's function #1, and the absolute need of replacement.....

 

I would say that you should just reuse it, I've been happy with my results when I've reused mine. Though I would put some high temp flexible gasket maker on it just to be safe.

 

Is $70 worth not having to do the job twice if you wrong? will you be able to reuse the rest of the gaskets you just bought if you have to take it apart again? or will you have to re-buy a bunch of gaskets?
Shaun

 

I vote for replacement.
You dont state your bike size, but I know the top end gasket kit for my 750 is $104 for all the gaskets
BUY IN BULK
If it leaks you will have to pull head again, better safe than sorry. Its cheap insurance IMO