Is there any little tweeks or special things I should look out for or do. It was leaking when it got warm so I am putting a new piston and rings in it.
-Should i put a thin film of permatex on the head gasket both sides.
-What should the head be torqued at.
-I honed the cylinder.
-Anything I can do to make it run better while I am at this point without putting any more money in it at this point.
Thanks Madvmax

 

If you are putting a new piston in and not boring the cylinder and going oversize you are asking for SERIOUS trouble.

 

My thoughts to you just honing the cylinder and putting a new piston and rings in your waisting your money, when the old piston and rings were doing there job creating compression they also wore the cylinder out of round and by simply honing and replacing you are looking for even less compression because the new rings will not seat in the bore causing even less compression. What you should do is get a new piston and rings (my suggestion is .5mm over size) <- thats providing the jug hasn`t been done before. Take the jug and new parts to a machine shop and have them mate the new piston to the over sized and rerounded jug. the machine shops don`t charge and arm and leg for a simple bore job, in the end you will be happy and have not waisted any $$$ trying to do it yourself with - results.

 

And before long because there is too much clearance between the piston and cylinder the skirt WILL break off the piston, fall into the crankcase, and destroy your entire engine.

All of this because you did not spend another $40 to get it bored.

 

anything you can do at this point to make it run better? the sky is the limit my friend.

send it to rick ritter for a trail port. head mod. and buy a pipe.
he can fit a new oversize piston. and leave it stock too

Don't forget about the bottom end.
Is your counter balance nice and clean? or has there been water in it?
grap your primary clutch and try and move it. Can you you slide the clutch in and out?
I have seen the pto end bearings loose on the crank more than once.
Of course check for play in the big end rod bearing.