TOPIC:

My head gasket sprung an oil leak on the right side of the head. The Kawasaki parts catalog lists part number 11004-1107 as the replacement, but it is no longer available. It looks like 11004-1268 might have superseded it, but I'm not sure. Can anyone confirm that? Are there any other options? I could not find a Cometic or any other aftermarket option.

Looks to be so ...... punch the number into Ebay there is one for half way reasonable for 46.99 with free shipping and you could offer a little less.

No eBay APP ID and/or Cert ID defined in Kunena configurationI used this type. Comes with red silicon from the factory. ..

Where is the leak? If it's in the front on the right hand side make sure it is not just the tach drive seal leaking at the cylinder head. That is a common problem that is easily corrected. Ed

Yeah, it was leaking at the tach drive as well. I replaced that a couple weeks ago and cleaned the engine. Now I can actually see tiny air bubbles and oil seeping out of the right side of the head while it's running. I checked the head nut torque just to be sure it wasn't a little loose; all tight. I guess after 30+ years and 20,000 miles she's expected to leak a little oil.

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Nessism wrote: I used this type. Comes with red silicon from the factory. ..

Did you add additional sealant to that where the FSM states, or did you install it as-is?

It seems like the original gasket was superseded several times and there is a variety of numbers that will work. This one is tempting for the price:

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JaFlo wrote:

Nessism wrote: I used this type. Comes with red silicon from the factory. ..

Did you add additional sealant to that where the FSM states, or did you install it as-is?

It seems like the original gasket was superseded several times and there is a variety of numbers that will work. This one is tempting for the price:

Yes on adding sealer by the oil port on the ends. That 11004-1268 looks good. Seems to be a MLS gasket.

do yourself a favor when replacing head gasket put new thread inserts in the block for the cam tunnel bolts and if it has the torque to yield cam tunnel bolts replace them with grade 8 allen cap screws do not forget to install new end seals and install the dry.

I had the cams out a couple months ago to adjust valve lash. All the threads and bolts were good. It got new cam plugs at that time as well. I've got a really nice inlb torque wrench so I had no problem correctly torquing them. The stripped cam bolt threads seems to be more of a problem on 900 and 1000 engines from what I gather.

If you're replacing the head gasket I would replace the base and orings. Once you take the head off, those will probably leak. Also with the head off I'd surface it on sand paper over glass maybe clean up the ports

DFI is talking about the front and rear head bolts (in the cam tunnel) and more than a few have stripped the cam cap threads on our small blocks so good to see you're careful ....... go only 75-80 inch lbs or so on them and many bolt the cams down with clamps to save the threads...... I installed heli coils in mine before I sent the head out so I didn't have to worry about them.

RandomKZ650 wrote: If you're replacing the head gasket I would replace the base and orings. Once you take the head off, those will probably leak. Also with the head off I'd surface it on sand paper over glass maybe clean up the ports

Was wondering when some one was gonna recommend this and he has a good point then there is rings and valve seals and lapping at a min to think about.