Clutch gasket material - What works for you guys

I changed my clutch the other day and got some gasket material and made the gasket without too much fuss. The stuff I got was from Autozone and was rubber/paper blend for 5 bucks. I would have gotten better if they had it, but this was the most expensive stuff they had...

It is leaking like a sieve. What gasket material have you guys used that has sealed properly and where did you get it?
I feel like it is the gasket, because I did a good job of making the one I got fit well and cleaned off the surfaces of the old stuck on gasket.
Thanks.
-Chuck

 

I just used GM Gasket maker, it's an anerobic sealant. works great. Part number #1052942 for the small tube.

 

I put one in my bike not long ago. The PO had told me had had changed it once and said that the only problem finding clutch parts was the gasket. I called my yam dealer and had a new one in a couple of days for about $12. But i took the cover off carefully, and wound up not even replacing it b/c they sent me the wrong springs and i reused my old ones, still doesnt leak a drop.

 

Ok I'll see if I can find the gasket maker.
My local dealership is a joke. I called them and they can't get the official gasket, and they also don't work on bikes older than 10 years. I've never heard of a shop turn down work before.....

 

CHuck, I got the original gakets in stock, ready to ship!:


ec4) OEM Clutch Cover Gaskets. A must-replace item anytime you remove the clutch cover (right side of the bike) for periodic cleaning or clutch plate adjustment, repair, or replacement.


HCP233 OEM clutch cover-to-block paper Gasket, for all XJ550 models.
$ 8.00


HCP1025 OEM clutch cover-to-block paper Gasket, for all XJ650, XJ700 non-X, XJ750, and XJ900 models.
$ 12.50


HCP1028 OEM clutch cover-to-block center "cap" rubber Gasket, for all XJ650, XJ700, XJ750, and XJ900 models.
$ 12.50


HCP1029 OEM clutch cover center "cap" internal mounting rubber Grommet, for all XJ650, XJ700, XJ750, and XJ900 models. Use 2 per cover. Each:
$ 3.50


HCP1026 OEM clutch cover-to-block paper Gasket, for all XJ700-X models.
$ 9.00


HCP1027 OEM clutch cover-to-block paper Gasket, for all XJ1100 models.
$ 14.00

 

Very few will touch a bike even 10 years old.

 

Funny thing about gaskets.
I've noticed ever since I was experimenting with small engines in my dads garage,(that was 40 years ago) that most gaskets are just thin material like cardboard used in your regular cereal box that you have for breakfast. Ever since then, that's exactly what I use to make gaskets and they seem to work for me.
Not all engine surfaces will mate as close as others, but most will.
All I do is trace the outline (inside and outside) of the part I need the gasket for and trace the holes with whatever will fit in the holes (ei: ink pen, pencil, etc) I cut the gasket out with a razor knife (very sharp) and use RTV silicone, to seal it onto the engine.
RTV has to be cured before mating the surfaces together (usually about 30 minutes will work)
I almost made the gasket for my valve cover when I adjusted my valves, but then I noticed the old one was still in good shape, so I re-used it using the RTV silicone sealant. It works for me. PD

 

I to used the rubber/paper stuff from autozone. I also used RTV gasket maker. I put the rtv on the motor surface, set the homemade gasket ontop of the rtv, then put the clutch cover on. I read on another forum that if you use the rtv on the motors surface, it helps seal the joint better. I did this on the oppisite side, but put the rtv on the cover instead of the motor, and it leaked like crazy. Hope that helps some.

 

my NCOIC when i was in the Air Force honor guard did that exact same thing on his ford ranger's water pump. he ran it that way for many many miles with nary a drop of leakage...

i just use a nice bead of blue RTV (loc-tite i think). get it at any department store like Meijers, K-mart, Wal-mart or auto parts house (NAPA, Murrys, Pep Boys, Chiefs, Kragen, Autozone etc)...

i make the bead about 3/32" wide so i dont get it all over when the cover is tightened down but wide enough to make sure i get it thick enough to not leave any voids...

 

I used to use the "cardboard" from t-shirt and underwear packages along with RTV but kept having the oil eventually seep through the material. Not drips but just a weep that would turn up after a few hundred miles. I switched to dedicated gasket material and have not had the problem since.

 

I spend a little dough at the auto supply for the reinforced gasket paper.
I don't want to go through the trouble of making my own gasket ... just to have it get all flimsy when I goop-it and position it on the case.

The gasket paper I use is made by FelPro and I swear by it.

But, I have used 3X5 Cards for making "Small" Gaskets ... like the Cam Chain Tensioner.

 

My local dealership can get me gaskets and most of the more common stuff. but I get the part numbers from the yamaha web sight and go see the parts guy with the numbers and I get the wright stuff. but if he looks it up its never available. I dont think he even tries, I think he just looks up porn.

 

The main reason you make your own gasket is to save the trip to the Dealership and hear the high price they want for something you can make in a few minutes with a pencil, Exacto knike and a hole punch.

It's "Old School" to make your own gaskets.
It's expensive and a long wait if you order them!

 

:lol:

 

can you make head gaskets, rick?

 

Making head gaskets and making some that work can be two different things........

 

Yea, headgaskets are a whole other can of worms. the thickness of a head gasket is important in tolerances (chain, piston travel) and is not just paper.

 

I am sure I can get you head gaskets from Cometic but not sure what they run. They are available in a few different materials and thicknesses. I prefer to sell and use the laminated stainless units. For Vmax models they run about $30 each. Probably be a bit more for the XJ's but you only need one and not two.

Sean

 

Head Gasket??!!
No way!

But, contrary to the text, I have reused them. It depends on the condition the Gasket is in when the Head is lifted-off. If there is NO damage. NO peeling.
Nothing compromised. I treat the Gasket and reuse it!

I treat it with Permatex High-Tack Spray a Gasket.
Spray Both sides.
Two coats. Let it be tacky.
Shoot the spray into a Tuna Can.
Paint the Block Mating Surface.
Paint the Head Mating Surface.

Put ir together and press down at all the critical sealing points.
Torque slow and incrementally.
10 Pound increments following the pattern.

The Gasket I treated when I did the Valves on my 900 is fine.
No problem at all.
The Permatex seals and hardens with the heat.

NEXT time ... you'll need a new Gasket ... because the Permatex acts as an adhesive.