valve cover gasket replacement

getting ready to replace my leaky valve cover gasket on my 1982 xj650 maxim. anyone have any advice or tips to make the job easier. I have the YICS head with the cam plugs. any tricks? :twisted:

 

You'll need to pull the horn and bracket to make room to get it out.

Most recommend tacking the new gasket into the groove on the bottom of the cover to ease installation. Some use Elmers, others use a small amount of gasket shellac painted into the groove. Since the new one will be all deformed from living in a plastic bag you'll want some wood blocks to weight it down while your adhesive sets.

Most also lubricate the gasket face where it contacts the head with some oil or grease to help it set into place and keep it from sticking down for future removal.

Those rubber donuts on the mounting bolts are likely a major part of the problem. The bolts have a shoulder that bottoms out against the head. The spring tension of the donuts holds the cover at the right tension. Usually those are dried out and hard and not holding the cover down properly.

Unfortunately those little buggers are a bit pricey, and tough to get on/off the bolts. This will be the hardest part of the job, but well worth it in the end.

 

How, exactly, does one go about getting the cover donuts on/off the bolts, MiCarl?

 

You MANGLE them off with the biggest pair of side cutters you can find;

And using a dab of silicone grease, work the new ones back on with great difficulty and not a small amount of profanity.

 

Check the valve clearences and adjust while you have the cover off. Most neglect this basic maintenance, its a big part of a good running bike.