How to not screw up changing head gaskets??

sloTJ

sloTJ

Member
Joined
Jun 27, 2013
Messages
289
Location
Cambridge, WI
Hi all, hope all is going well for everyone. My sx700 is still laying in the garage on its side. I haven't gotten a full season out of this sled since I've bought it towards the end of HS. I'm now 22 just yesterday... Ugh. I had to remove the left foot heat exchanger as its cracked and leaking. The sleds old and it shows. Around 11k miles. :)

I got that off the sled, but have been really struggling with anxiety and depression for awhile, which has really put my life on hold right now. Meds suck so much but its better than dealing with the illness.

Anyway, I bought 3 new head gaskets again and will be doing them soon here. I have pulled the head before and changed one gasket but they started leaking again. I just need to get insight on how to do it perfectly the first time so I can finally ride this stupid sled again!! I sprayed copper gasket last time. Do I need to again? How do I not screw it up since I always seem to mess something up though its really not a difficult job...??? Steps or any help is greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance. Everyone's always very helpful here! Have a merry Christmas and a blessed holiday season!

-TJImageUploadedByTapatalk1419212037.597675.jpg
 
If matting surfaces were nice and clean and proper torquing both times then you may have a warped head but im no "expert" on this. I would also like to say I hope you cheer up and have a great christmas!!
 
I'd say the most important things are to make sure the surfaces are really clean and you torque the head in the proper sequence.
 
The first time, I remembered getting the specs off of some tech page. I torqued it in the right sequence too. Don't remember where that was... I only replaced the one that I knew was bad. Then put the head bac on. The head I had tested and it isn't warped! That's about the only thing I got goof for me with this sled.
 
How would one clean everything before? I will probably use compressed air and blow out the cylinders well to make sure nothing's in there.
 
spray the head surface and the tops of the cylinders off with brake clean to remove oil and antifreeze, blow dry with compressed air.

on the headgaskets, clean those as well with brake clean, wipe dry. When you use the copper kote spray you just want to dust them not paint them with a thick layer, just dust them in light coats to cover the surface, let dry overnight and flip them over and repeat, let dry well before installing them and then torq it all down like posted. dont touch the surface with your fingers, hold them via the tabs on the ends.

never had any leak problems this way.
 
Sorry to hear about your problems but at least get the sled off of it's side. Hate to see it like that. I would do what ever one has said about the head gaskets. I just did a top end on mine and got all the info off the tech pages. Good Luck.
 
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