base cylinder gasket - upside down

[RTYsxv]

I was putting the exhaust manifold on the viper motor tonight, I'm practically done with it, and I realize that the tab on the base cylinder gasket is on the wrong side and touches the bottom of the manifold. I go to the service manual, and sure enough it shows it there clear as day with the tab on the mag side instead of the PTO side - I can't believe I didn't see that

What I want to know is, does it really make any difference that the gasket is upside down? I need an experienced opinion here, I don't want to open it up again if I don't have to.

 

[theblues]

Thats a tough call...My scenario…worked on a colleagues 03 viper std…1st yr ran fine…since then it over heated often, even with good snow condition…took the head off & found that the head gasket was backwards…right from fact/dealer!!!replaced it & so far this season no heat issues…was your base new or reused, if new did you spray with gasket tack…you maybe able to remove without any damage…we have no snow here that’s rideable, I know what I would do…cheers…

 

[goody_700]

That is a tough one... I wouldn't think it would make a big difference, but then again I don't know either. I would think as long as it seals, you're OK... BUT DON'T TAKE MY WORD FOR IT...

Just trying to save you some work, and some $$. Let other people give their opinion before you make your decision...

 

[mrviper700]

On a viper, yes, the cooling holes are larger on the front, if you reverse it it will mess up the cooling even more on a lousy cooling viper head, the head is the main culprit. Its not a big deal on a srx as the holes are more close to the same size, viper they are more offset as to size.

 

[800]

That will make it over heat. It is actually getting hot on the PTO cylinder. If you're not sure the way one goes on, Viper or SRX, the largest restriction hole, goes the furthest from the water pump.

 

[RTYsxv]

Well I'm going to switch it then, I stopped by the dealer today to have them check clutch alignment with their tool and asked them about switching it for me while they had it. There's no antifreeze in it yet, and it's nothing more than taking the head and cylinders off then putting them back on. But they said 2 hours of labor ($160) plus $65 for new gaskets which is about $20 more than I can get them for online. What a ripoff, I'll do it myself in less than 2 hours. Is it necessary to replace the base gasket? I would replace it but it's brand new, I just put it on a few days ago but I put gasket tack on it before assembly and does that make it not reuseable? If I'm going to order parts I need to do it tomorrow...thanks guys

 

[mrviper700]

you can reuse it, its metal if its the stock yamaha one, no problem there.

 

[RTYsxv]

is the gasket tack going to cause problems, since it's stuck to both the gasket and the cylinders? I was worried about it sticking or leaving an uneven surface on the gasket...I guess I'll pull it out tomorrow and see

btw it's the red stuff in the blue permatex spray can if that makes any difference.

I can't wait to hear that triple run again

 

[mrviper700]

just wipe it off with some paint thinner and respray it, let it dry and put it back together, youll have no problem, especially since you have not run the engine.

 

[RTYsxv]

Ok, I'll give that a try. Thanks

 

[theblues]

Good choice x 2, doing it right & doing it yourself...hats off to you...

 

[BETHEVIPER]

here is a picture of a viper and srx, you can see why you cant have either one in wrong, you will be over and under heating outside cylinders.

these are rh, clutch side, you can see even the srx has a larger hole in the far cylinder, on the viper gasket, it is very different. if you use pipes and aftermarket heads, you should use the srx gasket.