TOPIC:

Getting ready to helicoil a stripped valve cover bolt and replace valve cover gasket (again) on eBay there's a number of different brands to choose from. Are there any to stay away from ? As I've posted previously I haven't had stellar results getting this to seal and before I order a gasket I figured I'd ask before I randomly click "buy it now". As always thanks

The only time i have had trouble sealing any brand is when the gasket is to thin and the cover sits on the cam cap bolt heads, so i have taken a little material out of the cam cover above where the cap bolts are to give a little extra space on my Zeds for the last 20 odd years, so now if i buy a gasket and it's thin material it still seals.

I use OEM Kawasaki gaskets whenever possible.

Genuine OEM.

Since he's had problems getting a good seal, should he use copper spray-a-gasket or something?
Asking because I've been wondering about the appropriate use of the copper spray stuff >> its benefits as well as drawbacks. Thanks.



....

From my experience, there seem to be different types of OEM gaskets. Some are thin metal with a composite gasket material coating. (they will stick to a magnet) I had an issue with my stator cover gasket leaking because it had split when I installed it. (it was an OEM kaw gasket, different number) I reordered a different OEM part number that I knew was metal. A magnet would pick it up. Same with my valve cover gasket. So far no leaks, there at least.

Any aftermarket gasket is a sure bet to be made out of plain fiber gasket material. As everyone else already noted, OEM is usually best to use. Steve Wood has a old Z1, perhaps he will chime in on the holy grail of valve cover gaskets for the 900 engines.

Genuine OEM. They are black and thick.

I added Permatex Copper Gasket Spray to mine for good measure.

The only V/C gasket I have used on Z1/Kz900/Kz1000 motors since back in '73 is the O.E.M. factory Kawasaki gasket!!!!!

NOTHING even comes close to the quality of the O.E.M. Kawasaki gasket. 11023-006 is the part number for the '73~78 motors. That gasket seems to have a thin coating of something like graphite on them. Its a thicker gasket than most Kawasaki V/C gaskets. I reused them 3 or 4 times before I replaced them. I NEVER USED ANYTHING ON THESE GASKETS!!! And I NEVER had a leak. I did have a few cam plugs that did weep a bit of oil over the years. I WOULD USE ONLY REAL KAWASAKI CAM PLUGS. 92066-017 is the part number. I have always applied a thin coat of Three Bond TB-1211 sealant on them before I installed them in the head. I also put my cam plugs in backwards so that lip is toward the inside of head. Its pretty hard to blow out a cam plug with that lip on the inside.

I just checked my gasket stash, boy I still got a $hitload of O.E.M. valve cover gaskets left!!! I can't believe my local dealer gets 60 DOLLARS for a O.E.M. V/C gasket!!!!! WOW!!!!! Glad I bought mine back in the 80's!!!! And no, I don't sell my parts.

Dr. Gamma wrote: The only V/C gasket I have used on Z1/Kz900/Kz1000 motors since back in '73 is the O.E.M. factory Kawasaki gasket!!!!!

NOTHING even comes close to the quality of the O.E.M. Kawasaki gasket. 11023-006 is the part number for the '73~78 motors. That gasket seems to have a thin coating of something like graphite on them. Its a thicker gasket than most Kawasaki V/C gaskets. I reused them 3 or 4 times before I replaced them. I NEVER USED ANYTHING ON THESE GASKETS!!! And I NEVER had a leak. I did have a few cam plugs that did weep a bit of oil over the years. I WOULD USE ONLY REAL KAWASAKI CAM PLUGS. 92066-017 is the part number. I have always applied a thin coat of Three Bond TB-1211 sealant on them before I installed them in the head. I also put my cam plugs in backwards so that lip is toward the inside of head. Its pretty hard to blow out a cam plug with that lip on the inside.

I just checked my gasket stash, boy I still got a $hitload of O.E.M. valve cover gaskets left!!! I can't believe my local dealer gets 60 DOLLARS for a O.E.M. V/C gasket!!!!! WOW!!!!! Glad I bought mine back in the 80's!!!! And no, I don't sell my parts.

You've got enough there to make any of your prodigy happy with the value of their inheritance!

Back in the day when I was racing, I always bought everything in bulk!!!!! It was cheaper!!!

When I was racing my Kawasaki triples, I wrote tons of fraudulent warranties to pay for all the parts they consumed.

I never paid for any of my new cranks, or piston sets!!!!

THE PEN IS A MIGHTIER WEAPON THAN THE SWORD!!!!!!

+1 on OEM. They're like that Battery Bunny - they just keep going... and going... and going...

Good Ridin'
slmjim & Z1BEBE

I guessI'm stuck with the crappy ones because I'll be damned if I'll spend 60 bucks for a gasket