Exciterfan
Member
I am contemplating doing the head gasket mod on my 2001 SXR600. Can anyone share their experience with this mod? Has anyone had the modified gasket blow out? One layer is pretty thin.
Wouldn't getting the head shaved make more sense? Then you could use a good sturdy gasket.
Just aslking?
Cheers,
Exciterfan
Wouldn't getting the head shaved make more sense? Then you could use a good sturdy gasket.
Just aslking?
Cheers,
Exciterfan
terret725
New member
if u do the head gasket mod and u have a gaket blow out like my brothers did after 2000 miles then u have another layer u can replace it with with out having to get a new gasket at 35 bucks a pice. its well wroth it my sled has 3000 miles on the mod and no problems. also have the head shaved for even more compression. for what its goin to coast u to get ur head shaved and still use the 3 layers its alot cheeper to take 2 layers off the gasket. now if u did like i did and went with one layer and a few thous shaved that notehr story. cost me like 75 bucks to get the head shaved. and the hell my broterh went threw with his cause the warped his head. the gasket mod is alot cheeper and easyer.
yamyrider
Active member
I had two layers removed for 2 seasons without any problems.
I put one layer back in since I piped it this year.
I ran all season without burn down.
I ride hard and fast usually as well.
I put one layer back in since I piped it this year.
I ran all season without burn down.
I ride hard and fast usually as well.
yamaholic22
Active member
I did have a gasket failure with the mod once. Was running a single layer and it started leaking, putting compression into the cooling system, causing it to overheat all the time. Had thousands of trouble free miles though.
yamahauler4
New member
Exactly how do you do this? Ive read to remove the middle gasket only?? Still run 87? This just adds a bit of hp or what? sled is sxr700. Thanks. Also heard of thin washers on trods... is this the top one or bottom? Trying to hook this thing up... tired of sit/spins...
RJH
New member
The stock XT 600 gasket will fit - one piece - higher compression. Standard procedure.
If you cut the heads - you need to re-cut the squish. If you want to cut - then shave the cylinder top - easier.
Don't forget - premium gas only.
If you cut the heads - you need to re-cut the squish. If you want to cut - then shave the cylinder top - easier.

Don't forget - premium gas only.
yamahauler4
New member
Recut the squish?? and if I thin the gasket, prem only, or only if I cut the head (wont do)? Thanks-RJH said:If you cut the heads - you need to re-cut the squish.
Don't forget - premium gas only.
terret725
New member
you only have to rechamber the squish area if you bring the head closer then .050 inch. i had my head shaved and ran one layer gasket to a .055 squish with no problem running on 91. so did my brotehr an his buddy with the sled i have now.
terret725
New member
take my word for it unless u want to have ur head machined but a shop that has done them befor and get sharged a pretty penny just drill out the little brass rings on teh tabs of ur gasket and put one layer(top or bottom) back in. this will give conciderble HP for the work u put into it. ull notice a change threw out low and top end. as ofr traction u need to set up ur suspention better. let oit ur limiter straps to a 1/4 left of thred above the nut on top( ull take pressure off teh skis and put them on teh track so ull of corsue have some ski push more then u use to) tighten the preload on ur center shock(i do on all mine anway cause that shock always bottoms on me) then set your FRA(the adjusted for teh rear shock with three settings) to med in the middle or soft all the way up. allos some adjustible transfer rods would help too if not replace the thick white plastic spacer on the top of ur transfer rod with a thinner one.
yamahauler4
New member
ok, after the gasket fix, have to run 91 only? do you know an actual HP increase?
yea, need to tweak susp. I think I have too much ski pressure, so thats not a prob. Dont want skis 3' off the ground, but 6-8" would be sweet!
Where can I get a thinner spacer from? Cant find any plastics around?
Thanks for the info!!
yea, need to tweak susp. I think I have too much ski pressure, so thats not a prob. Dont want skis 3' off the ground, but 6-8" would be sweet!
Where can I get a thinner spacer from? Cant find any plastics around?
Thanks for the info!!
SpartaSXr
Member
I don't know HP gains but it does give you alot better throttle reponse. peeled the middle layer about 5000 mi ago. always run premium but i ahve never had a problem the sled has over 8000 miles on it now.
yamahauler4
New member
If you ran 87, would it just ping, or blow up??SpartaSXr said:I don't know HP gains but it does give you alot better throttle reponse. peeled the middle layer about 5000 mi ago. always run premium but i ahve never had a problem the sled has over 8000 miles on it now.
SpartaSXr
Member
They say to run premium to keep the engine cooler/ prevent overheating and warping the head. i have had no choice but to run 87 on a few occasions in rural UP without any problems but running premium is to prevent overheating or damage to the head.
Exciterfan
Member
If you machine the head the equivalent of the 2 layers of gasket, why would you have to machine anything else?
Also is the "squish" the combustion chamber portion of the head?
Thanks
Exciterfan
Also is the "squish" the combustion chamber portion of the head?
Thanks
Exciterfan
terret725
New member
http://www.totallyamaha.net/forums/showthread.php?t=11494&highlight=squish
its been discuse befor heres the pest post i can find that describes it
its been discuse befor heres the pest post i can find that describes it
Exciterfan
Member
Great thread on the "squish". But I ask my last question again.
"If you machine the head the equivalent of the 2 layers of gasket, why would you have to machine anything else? "
If you can remove head gasket layers and still maintain the proper squish, you should be able to machine the head a certain amount with out worrying about squish, and then use a sturdy multilayer gasket.
Has anyone out there machined the head of a sxr600, rather than modifying the gasket, and had good results. If so, how much did you machine off the heads?
Maybe it's a secret!!!
Cheers,
Exciterfan
"If you machine the head the equivalent of the 2 layers of gasket, why would you have to machine anything else? "
If you can remove head gasket layers and still maintain the proper squish, you should be able to machine the head a certain amount with out worrying about squish, and then use a sturdy multilayer gasket.
Has anyone out there machined the head of a sxr600, rather than modifying the gasket, and had good results. If so, how much did you machine off the heads?
Maybe it's a secret!!!
Cheers,
Exciterfan
SpartaSXr
Member
you don't have to machine anything else. if you want to spend the $$ to machine the head that's one thing. Peeling 1 layer is FREE!!!!
Exciterfan
Member
How much can you machine off the head to be equivalent to the head gasket mod without getting into "squish" issues? Anyone?

bluemonster1
LIFE MEMBER ONLY ONCE!!!
yamahauler4
New member
Which instructions are you referring to? Thanks-bluemonster1 said:worked great for me. No gasket leak at all.Follow exactly what it tells you on the head gasket mod section.I pin it all the time and it is holding.