Head gasket peel with todays fuel

S

SWEDE

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There seems to be a fair amount of talk of the poor quality of todays fuel.I'm redoing the top end on my 700 redhead and planned on taking a layer out of my new gaskets.Should I in light of the fuel with the ethanol in it?I know this requires premium fuel, a little feedback would be appreciated.
 

I have thought of caring some octane booster just in case I could'nt get premium or it seems like a slow out of the way station with potentialy stale gas.A little more power and crisper response on the throttle is appealing with this.
 
that would be the safest bet, im considering doing the same on my sled if there is enough gain for the mod, but try to find booster that isnt alcohol based you dont need any more of that
 
I did the mod to the head gasket on my '99 SX 600 many years ago. When I did it, I asked myslef one question "If I peel the factory gasket and don't do it right will it let me down in the middle of no where?" The answer was maybe so I called Cometic gasket Co. and told them what I wanted to do. They had many suggestions on materail type and how thick the gasket should be for what I wanted to do and the type of sled I have. I ended up ordering a custom gasket that performs the way I want and I have the peace of mind that it is a new gasket made by a very reputable company. I now have about 8,000 miles on that gasket and don't ever think about it failing in the middle of nowhere. The extra cost of the new gasket along with the expert technical informatoin from Cometic made this a great purchase. By the way, I have read way too many posts here T.Y. talking about how their factory head gasket leaks or let go after it was modified by the sled owner.
Mills
 
Mills said:
I did the mod to the head gasket on my '99 SX 600 many years ago. When I did it, I asked myslef one question "If I peel the factory gasket and don't do it right will it let me down in the middle of no where?" The answer was maybe so I called Cometic gasket Co. and told them what I wanted to do. They had many suggestions on materail type and how thick the gasket should be for what I wanted to do and the type of sled I have. I ended up ordering a custom gasket that performs the way I want and I have the peace of mind that it is a new gasket made by a very reputable company. I now have about 8,000 miles on that gasket and don't ever think about it failing in the middle of nowhere. The extra cost of the new gasket along with the expert technical informatoin from Cometic made this a great purchase. By the way, I have read way too many posts here T.Y. talking about how their factory head gasket leaks or let go after it was modified by the sled owner.
Mills
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What exactly did you order from cometic and what did it cost?I assume just a thinner three layer gasket?It seems that you end up being about .010" thinner does that sound right?
 
I did the gasket mod on my 2001 SXR600 about 3 years agao with out any leakage or issue. I did spray the gasket prior to installing them.I also have been using premium fuel. ;)!
 
bluemonster1 said:
I did the gasket mod on my 2001 SXR600 about 3 years agao with out any leakage or issue. I did spray the gasket prior to installing them.I also have been using premium fuel. ;)!
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Did you take out one or two layers and is it difficult to pull start with this?
 
I've been running the same set of single layer gaskets in my wife's sled since about 01. It's been apart a few times, but I just spray them with copper coat and they are good to go. Never had an issue. Buddy of mine has had one leak. Retorqued the head and never been a problem since. Don't have the book in front of me, but I seem to remember that the spec is like 22 pounds and we take the to 25 with the single layer. Engine builder with way more experience on that motor than I'll ever have said that was his trick.

As for starting harder, I don't have an issue, but my wife can't usually pull it fast enough here in the flatlands, but when we go out to mtns she can no problem.
 
took out the middle and threw out.Then I end up with 2 single layers.Used one layer per cylinder and kept 3 as spares.The SXR600 really starts good to,even when she is cold out.
 
The power that you noticably gain is throttle response and usually seen the most around off idle to early mid range. What the extra compression ultimately does, is help spin the motor up to high rpms easier.
This mod is for the red headed triple motors. There is a gasket available for the '96 600's to help raise the compression, Ultimately that is a -95 head gasket.
 
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