engine refresh problems

[ratbag56]

i have just replaced the head gasget on my race bike and it has started leaking along the front half? i wondered if any1 else has this problem? i was thinking thats its because i have removed the base gasget this time round and the engine mount bolts mite not be lining up? also while im posting were is a good base setting to start the adjustable cams at? thanks guys

[tk400]

did you use a new head gasket?...did you chase the threads before boltup?..are you confident in your torque and sequence. Wasa the head true.....I am not sure if its possible in the ZXR but if the head bolt holes are blind you can get hydraulic lockup on torquing. Head surfaces were clean with no bruises on edges?......just a few ideas...cheers

Regards TK400

[masterofinsanity]

could have possibly warped the head when the gasket went.

[cargo]

A good base setting for starting with the adjustable cams is...................................the way they are bolted up as standard

[ratbag56]

lol i was going to set the cams that way! i have a new snap on torque wrench so i hope it is working well, i have cleaned both surfaces but have not had it skimmed i mite get that done this time round? i hope it aint wrapped as i will be needing a new one unless any1 can help me if this is the case, i always use a new head gasget, the bike never over heated when the gasget went i caught it just as the oil was starting to mix as it was warming up i my lock up, i will strip down at the week end and flat edge the block and the head, it is weird that it only leaks along the hole front edge, from the cars i have fixxed with wrapped heads they wrap at one point has any1 else had any other problems like this?

[cargo]

Stupid question I know but are you sure that this leak on the front edge isn't coming from the spark pulug recess drain holes ? ?

[ratbag56]

wot wud cause it to leak out of them? i didnt know thats wot they were?

[cargo]

If you are getting oil from the drain holes it's because the seals on the rocker cover are leaking oil into the spark plug reccess. There are two seals one on the rocker cover it's self and one o ring on the tube peice where in locates into the head..............thats per spark plug recess so 8 seals in total.

The rocker cover seals only go one way round the are different sided

[ratbag56]

i know the ones i didnt relise the holes were for that i will take the air box off and have a look in the spark plug holes? has this happen to u?

[cargo]

has this happen to u?

No

But I do know of a few cases where people believed the head gasket to be gone when all it was was an oil leak into the spark plug reccess

[ratbag56]

oh i never really thought it may be that as i didnt really know wot the holes were for i will try and have a look 2mrw and let u know thanks alot

[Fatspanner #44]

If you are getting oil from the drain holes it's because the seals on the rocker cover are leaking oil into the spark plug reccess. There are two seals one on the rocker cover it's self and one o ring on the tube peice where in locates into the head..............thats per spark plug recess so 8 seals in total.

The rocker cover seals only go one way round the are different sided

Seems to be an issue on a lot of rebuilt engines, but not a big ordeal to fix.

[ratbag56]

it looks like it is the gaskets toke them apart this mrning and there is oil around the spark plugs going to get some new ones and see if it works thanks guys