I noticed on my freshly built '87 lt500 that I have a small coolant leak at the head gasket. The harder I ride, the worse the leak gets. I took the head off ( Pro-design Coolhead ). The gasket consists of a thick copper gasket with a whole lot of grey silicon. What's the best procedure for the head gasket on this motor? I know it's prone to leaking.[img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-frown.gif[/img] Also, how do you take the dome out of the Coolhead?

 

I'd say the problem is the Thick copper gasket... I've tried and tried to make Jeff Tudors 'wonder' gasket seal... to no avail.
Go and buy yourself a genuine suzuki gasket, and put it together... use a little sealant if you want to (not needed) torque to spec, and your done!

How big is the bore on your motor? Larger bores require a big bore gasket... I think Cometic is the only place you can get one of those... I don't like Cometic as well as Genuine Suzuki, but they work.

Have your head studs been replaced with a larger dia. stud? This helps also, especially if your running higher compression. (You might ask Tudors if they did any work there...)

Once these have been fixed... your head gasket issues should be behind you... (I haven't had one leak for years)

How do you take the dome out? Just press it down with your fingers(The little area by the spark plug hole)... it'll pop right out


By the way.... Welcome to the forums!

 

if its leaking around the studs then you need new copper washers from prodesign . that happened to me and that is how it was fixed .

the domes push out . it takes some pressure but they do pop out .

as far as the gasket goes .. you really shouldnt use gasket sealer on it . it should squish down and seal its self . i have ran oring heads and have not had that prob . i know there are a few companies that make different head gaskets but dont know who to tell you to go with .

my .02c
Don

 

and yea what dunnaddict said [img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-happy.gif[/img]

 

I agree with what eveyone said,you may also want to check the jug to see if it's flat,when I first got my Zilla it would leak and then blow the gasket,took it to Vito's Performance and he checkrd the jug and it was not truly flat.

 

Thanx for the info. It's .50 mm over on the bore. I assume that if I go with the stepped head bolts, I'll have to drill out the holes on the head.

 

If you go with the stepped studs (88+) that I think are 10mm on the bottom, and 8mm on the top... you shouldn't have to open up the holes in the head.
I just put in 3/8 studs, and did have to modify the head slightly... Works great!