Carb bowl gasket question & a thank you!

Hey gang!

Should i use gasket sealer on the carb bowl gasket? Also, does it matter which side the printing is facing when I install it? First time carb cleaner/rebuilder here so...;-)

Also, wanted to send HUGE props out to Chacal! What an awesome resource he is not just for parts, but for quality information and guidance.

I am extremely grateful to him for all the questions he patiently answered while I have been working on this project.

Thank you sir!

 

Don't use sealer, if you want to be able to remove the bowls and save the gaskets put a little layer of chapstick on the carb side of the gasket. The printing doesn't matter, just make sure they are on right. On the Hitachi's they're the same either way so it really doesn't matter. Don't over-torque the screws and try not to bend the little siphon tube into the jet in the bowl. It's pretty simple so just take your time and you shouldn't have any troubles!

 

sweet!

Float levels are all set now time to button up and put the rack together...yay!

 

Once you get her running, check the float bowl screws after 50 miles or so. I thought I had a misadjusted float and when I took the carbs off and flipped them over I found that two screws were missing and the other 14 were loose. My guess is that once the new gaskets compressed and settled in plus the vibrations from the engine caused this to happen. I replace the missing screws and tightened the others up more snug and put the carbs back on the bike. After another 100 miles I checked them again and tightened them up just a hair more.

You'll find that this can happen with all sorts of threaded parts that you've touched after having not been unscrewed for 30 years. It's a good idea to go around and make sure everything is tight after a break-in period.

 

Gotcha! Very good tip, thanks!

 

Use an Artists-type Paint Brush and apply a coat of Light Oil to the Carb Base, both sides of the Gasket and the Float Bowl mating surface.

The Gasket will squeeze-down nicely and not adhere to either the Base or Bowl.
You'll be assured of being able to reuse the Gasket after making adjustments or cleaning.

 

Will do Rick, thanks!