TOPIC:

So calling all engine experts aboard!

I´m restoring the head/upper end of my KZ1000 J3 1983 and find mostly 1981-82 gasket kits and loose gaskets on Ebay,
will they work on my machine?

Looks like the J3 was a Canadian model. It seems to be mostly identical to the J1& J2, except for the carbs and meters. I bet the gaskets are the same. You can see individual gasket fitment at Partzilla.

www.partzilla.com/catalog/kawasaki/motorcycle/1983/kz1000-j3

Open the diagram that shows the gaskets you are interested in, click the part number of the gasket. On the new page you will see a fitment chart showing all the models using that part.

You can likely get everything you need here--
www.z1enterprises.com/motorcycles/Kawasa...ngine/KZ1000-J3/1983

How does this look?

www.z1enterprises.com/gasket-set-kz1000-81-up-full-set.html

TexasKZ wrote: How does this look?

www.z1enterprises.com/gasket-set-kz1000-81-up-full-set.html

Wow even until 2005??

yes Partzilla has it listed as Canadian, I´m in Sweden/Europé and it was definately sold here too
so I guess there was a number of models or designations specifically for different markets.
And the bottom/top end of engine probably the same which means gaskets etc.
Then probably different cams between LTD/sportier versions and some with injection instead of carbs. But this makes sense and means there´s many kits to chose from. I´ve just found a swedish supplier with an old Kawa original gasket stock so will go with that!

Now what sealant would y´all use for Valve cover?

Together with gasket that is, silicone based or icky sticky old school stuff?

For the valve cover i always use a silicone lightly smeared on, this way you can re-use the gaskets, as you are in Europe it will probably be cheaper and definitely quicker to use Z-power in the UK, and if you are a paid up member of the UK Z1 owners club you will also get a discount, worth doing if you are going to need lots of parts.

I always put it on dry - no sealant. I have done my KZ650-C1 dry for 41 years and never had a leak plus I have been able to re-use the gasket for decades. I think I have only replaced it 2 times since the bike was new. Not bad for 41 years.

In the Kawasaki service manual there are a FEW areas where sealant is called for. The best example I can give is a spot on the KZ650 clutch cover gasket. The manual calls for about 1 inch of sealant on a spot on the engine side of the clutch cover gasket where the gasket covers a joint between the lower and upper engine castings. This is required because the mating surface has a seam at this engine casing joint which the gasket alone may not seal. This may not be obvious to someone doing this job the first time. So my best advice is to always consult the service manual to see if and where sealant is required rather than just gluing the gaskets on and later having to scrape them off. Ed