Does anyone know if a KX250 head gasket is thinner than the Tecate's stock gasket? If so, is it too thin to use safely (ie. leaks, blow outs)? I'd like to put a thinner gasket on to increase compression a little for better lowend. Either that or mill the head a bit.

 

The head gaskets are not interchangeble between the KX and tecate.

 

AKA 2stroke4ever

huh??? are you sure?? the tecate 4 engine was taken from an 87 KX250. Why would the bolt pattern and cylinder shape be different?

gaskets are able to be used from the ATC250R and CR250 on a TRX250R. And those motors have less in common than the KX and KXF. Using the thinner head gaskets from the CR or the ATC on the TRX is very common for increasing compression though the CR's is not reccomended...TOO thin.

In any event, if that won't work, do you how I could get my hands on a thinner gasket? is it a bad idea? or is it better to mill the head a few mm's?

 

You can't blow a head gasket because it is too thin if your decks are true.

As mtecateg stated, the gaskets aren't interchangeable. It has been awhile since I messed with them, but doesn't the KX have six bolts instead of five? Or was it that the bolt pattern was smaller?

 

I, personally, don't know. KillerKx might know. But since Kawasaki back in 87 essentially took the KX250 motor and modified for ATV use in the Tecate 4, I assumed that the engine's top end design was identical with the exception of ports and interior changes.

I've never examined a KX250 motor up close to know for sure.

I raised the point of being too thin and causing problems because CR250 head gaskets used on a TRX250R are a bit dangerous because they are so paper thin and can allow coolant to leak and cause serious engine problems.

 

If you are leaking coolant, I still feel that your decks aren't true. KTM used to use a THIN PAPER (not metal but wood) head gasket, and they might still do. Their engines were so finely machined that that was all they needed.

 

you got to remember that the kx250 was in the tecate 3(ktx) before it was in the 4(kfx). i think they first designed the 3 in 84 0r 85. perhaps the kx's design was changed after the production run of the threes and fours, hope i cure some confusion

 

I don't know about the Tecate 3 (K-X-T BTW) but when the Tecate 4 (K-X-F) came out, every one assumed it would be based on the 3 wheeler. It was not. To everyone's surprise, they used the 87 KX250 motor. I there for assume that KX250 parts from that KX engine design (ie model A1, A2 or B1 B2 or B3 or H1, H2 etc.) would be compatible.
I could be wrong, but it seems logical.

Plus, I don't when Kawasaki changed KX250 model/engine designs but I believe that at least the 86-88 KX250's were of the same design group. I can't say, however, that the Tecate 3 was based on the same KX250 as the Tecate 4. In fact I doubt. That's why I never look to the Tecate 3 for possible compatible parts.

 

THe reason they wont work is the head on the KX is roundish because they only have powervalves. The tecate had a squareish head because they used exhaust valve and powervalve set up. The exhaust chambers are in the top of the cylinder, the reason for the square head. They did this to increase the lowend over the KX motor. If you dont believe me goto Buykawasaki.com and look at their engine diagrams. They have the parts diagram for the tecate and the older KX. I used to be a big tecate freak and have built many awsome bikes. There is interchangeble parts between these engines. For example the cylinder off of a kx will bolt right on. But to run it you need to run the 87-88 kx crank or have your crank stroked because the tecate run a 70mm stroke and the KX ran a 72mm stroke, But it makes for some great power. I had a 96 kx cylinder and head on my 88 tecate. It went like a raped ape.

 

OK. Thanks.