KZ1100 Head Gasket Change
- havakaw
-
Topic Author
- Offline
- User
- Posts: 190
- Thanks: 26
KZ1100 Head Gasket Change
01 Jun 2024 06:24 - 01 Jun 2024 06:28
I'm finally getting around to changing out the head gasket on the 82 kz1100. It has the Wiseco 1135 (74mm) kit 10.25:1 piston kit and OE 82 GPZ 1100 cams with about 20000 miles since install.
I'm thinking about maybe going with the MLS head gasket instead of the 1 piece Wiesco or Cometic brand fiber replacement one.
Has anybody had any experience with the MLS head gasket? I know it's a bit thicker, and that will lower the compression a bit, but that's ok. Also, with either gasket set up, would I still have to run the 4 corner oil o-rings that you have to use for the OE type split gasket? Both the 1 piece and the MLS gasket corner holes are smaller and appear that I may not need them .
When I removed the old 1 piece, I found that i did use the 4 corner o-rings, and they weren't in great shape.
Any thoughts or advice is appreciated. I only want to do this once. Thank you.
I'm thinking about maybe going with the MLS head gasket instead of the 1 piece Wiesco or Cometic brand fiber replacement one.
Has anybody had any experience with the MLS head gasket? I know it's a bit thicker, and that will lower the compression a bit, but that's ok. Also, with either gasket set up, would I still have to run the 4 corner oil o-rings that you have to use for the OE type split gasket? Both the 1 piece and the MLS gasket corner holes are smaller and appear that I may not need them .
When I removed the old 1 piece, I found that i did use the 4 corner o-rings, and they weren't in great shape.
Any thoughts or advice is appreciated. I only want to do this once. Thank you.
'80 KZ 750 LTD-H
'82 KZ 1100 A-2 Shafty (ex-bagger)
'82 KZ 1100 A-2 Shafty (ex-bagger)
Last edit: 01 Jun 2024 06:28 by havakaw. Reason: Added a detail statement
Please Log in or Create an account to join the conversation.
- Nessism
-
- Offline
- Sustaining Member
- Posts: 7667
- Thanks: 3038
Re: KZ1100 Head Gasket Change
01 Jun 2024 07:25
MLS gaskets work best with clean and "pretty" surfaces on both the cylinder and head. If your parts are original, haven't been surfaced recently, you might be better off with a standard fiber type gasket.
BTW, the "pretty" reference is something taken from Big Jay at APE.
BTW, the "pretty" reference is something taken from Big Jay at APE.
Ed
Carb O-ring Kits : www.kzrider.com/forum/3-carburetor/61807...-o-ring-kits?start=0
www.kzrider.com/forum/faq-wiki/618026-new-owner-things-to-know
1981 KZ750E2
www.kzrider.com/forum/11-projects/604901...z750e-project-thread
Carb O-ring Kits : www.kzrider.com/forum/3-carburetor/61807...-o-ring-kits?start=0
www.kzrider.com/forum/faq-wiki/618026-new-owner-things-to-know
1981 KZ750E2
www.kzrider.com/forum/11-projects/604901...z750e-project-thread
Please Log in or Create an account to join the conversation.
- zed1015
-
- Away
- User
- Posts: 3129
- Thanks: 1736
Re: KZ1100 Head Gasket Change
01 Jun 2024 09:35
I run both MLS and Fibre head gaskets from Cometic and they are the same thickness when compressed .
The head and block surface must be very clean and unpitted for the MLS otherwise use the one piece fibre type.
I only run the MLS on the turbo engines as it's able to withstand the boost pressure without having to piano wire the block and use copper..
The rest get fibre ones.
The head and block surface must be very clean and unpitted for the MLS otherwise use the one piece fibre type.
I only run the MLS on the turbo engines as it's able to withstand the boost pressure without having to piano wire the block and use copper..
The rest get fibre ones.
AIR CORRECTOR JETS FOR VM CARBS AND ETHANOL RESISTANT VITON CHOKE PLUNGER SEAL REPLACMENT FOR ALL CLASSIC AND MODERN MOTORCYCLE CARBURETTORS
www.kzrider.com/23-for-sale/611992-air-c...lide-mikunis?start=0
www.kzrider.com/23-for-sale/611992-air-c...lide-mikunis?start=0
Please Log in or Create an account to join the conversation.
- havakaw
-
Topic Author
- Offline
- User
- Posts: 190
- Thanks: 26
Re: KZ1100 Head Gasket Change
02 Jun 2024 05:39
Ok that's what I figured. The MLS gasket needs "Special" head and deck prep to make sure it's flat and seals properly under compression.
The fiber 1 piece I pulled out looked good, no burn thru or blow out.
My "Big Question " is: Do I still need to run the 4 corner stud o-rings with the fiber 1 piece gasket?
I ask because I did the last time, and when I inspected it, the o-rings we're not in good shape. It looked like they were smushed into the drain holes and kinda messed up.
So, will the 1 piece fiber gasket seal the corners without using the o-rings?Thank you.
The fiber 1 piece I pulled out looked good, no burn thru or blow out.
My "Big Question " is: Do I still need to run the 4 corner stud o-rings with the fiber 1 piece gasket?
I ask because I did the last time, and when I inspected it, the o-rings we're not in good shape. It looked like they were smushed into the drain holes and kinda messed up.
So, will the 1 piece fiber gasket seal the corners without using the o-rings?Thank you.
'80 KZ 750 LTD-H
'82 KZ 1100 A-2 Shafty (ex-bagger)
'82 KZ 1100 A-2 Shafty (ex-bagger)
Please Log in or Create an account to join the conversation.
- daveo
-
- Offline
- Premium Member
- Posts: 2908
- Thanks: 740
Re: KZ1100 Head Gasket Change
02 Jun 2024 08:41
I am not aware of a 1-PC fiber head gasket for the KZ1100 engine.
Please post an image link or photo of the head gasket referred to.
Please post an image link or photo of the head gasket referred to.
1982 KZ1100-A2
Please Log in or Create an account to join the conversation.
- Wookie58
-
- Offline
- Moderator
- Posts: 4869
- Thanks: 2945
Re: KZ1100 Head Gasket Change
02 Jun 2024 10:17I believe these are the oli "feeds" to the head not "drain holes" as I understand drainage happens down the timing chain tunnelOk that's what I figured. The MLS gasket needs "Special" head and deck prep to make sure it's flat and seals properly under compression.
The fiber 1 piece I pulled out looked good, no burn thru or blow out.
My "Big Question " is: Do I still need to run the 4 corner stud o-rings with the fiber 1 piece gasket?
I ask because I did the last time, and when I inspected it, the o-rings we're not in good shape. It looked like they were smushed into the drain holes and kinda messed up.
So, will the 1 piece fiber gasket seal the corners without using the o-rings?Thank you.
1982 KZ1000 Ltd
www.kzrider.com/forum/11-projects/617631...-82-begins?start=192
kzrider.com/filebase-alias?view=download...d-fault-diagnosis&ca
www.kzrider.com/forum/11-projects/617631...-82-begins?start=192
kzrider.com/filebase-alias?view=download...d-fault-diagnosis&ca
Please Log in or Create an account to join the conversation.
- SWest
-
- Offline
- Sustaining Member
- 10 22 2014
- Posts: 23338
- Thanks: 2877
Re: KZ1100 Head Gasket Change
02 Jun 2024 11:14
A pic would help. The early style came with copper seals where the late style had larger cutouts for the O rings.
Steve
Steve
Z1b1000 1975 Z1b
kzrider.com/forum/11-projects/598262-kz-...-will-it-live#672882
kzrider.com/forum/2-engine/597654-poser?start=240#704229
kzrider.com/forum/11-projects/598262-kz-...-will-it-live#672882
kzrider.com/forum/2-engine/597654-poser?start=240#704229
Please Log in or Create an account to join the conversation.
- havakaw
-
Topic Author
- Offline
- User
- Posts: 190
- Thanks: 26
Re: KZ1100 Head Gasket Change
02 Jun 2024 13:41
Best i can pics. With both gaskets, the corners are more covered and closed off than I believe the or 2 piece set would be necessitating the use of the o-rings.
'80 KZ 750 LTD-H
'82 KZ 1100 A-2 Shafty (ex-bagger)
'82 KZ 1100 A-2 Shafty (ex-bagger)
Please Log in or Create an account to join the conversation.
- SWest
-
- Offline
- Sustaining Member
- 10 22 2014
- Posts: 23338
- Thanks: 2877
Re: KZ1100 Head Gasket Change
02 Jun 2024 14:40
I used the fiber gaskets and filled the groove with RTV and they worked well. The metal gasket I have now I used a O ring around the cam chain with a smear of RTV and some around the oil passages. I have APE studs and even then I had to retorque 4 times!
I have a fiber one for next time.
If it were me on that unit I'd use O rings all around.
Steve
If it were me on that unit I'd use O rings all around.
Steve
Z1b1000 1975 Z1b
kzrider.com/forum/11-projects/598262-kz-...-will-it-live#672882
kzrider.com/forum/2-engine/597654-poser?start=240#704229
kzrider.com/forum/11-projects/598262-kz-...-will-it-live#672882
kzrider.com/forum/2-engine/597654-poser?start=240#704229
The following user(s) said Thank You: Wookie58
Please Log in or Create an account to join the conversation.
- daveo
-
- Offline
- Premium Member
- Posts: 2908
- Thanks: 740
Re: KZ1100 Head Gasket Change
03 Jun 2024 06:26 - 03 Jun 2024 06:35
Without hesitation I would use a 1-pc fiber head gasket with large oil passage stud and cam chain tunnel holes for the o-rings to pass through as originally intended.
IMO, the o-rings (OEM BTW) need to be sandwiched between metal head and cylinder block surfaces, independent of the gasket.
A Cometic 2-pc gasket set was used with the MTC 1135 kit I originally installed in 2019, and replaced with the reworked head in 2022. NOS Kawasaki o-rings were installed both times with no sealer.
IMO, the o-rings (OEM BTW) need to be sandwiched between metal head and cylinder block surfaces, independent of the gasket.
A Cometic 2-pc gasket set was used with the MTC 1135 kit I originally installed in 2019, and replaced with the reworked head in 2022. NOS Kawasaki o-rings were installed both times with no sealer.
1982 KZ1100-A2
Last edit: 03 Jun 2024 06:35 by daveo.
The following user(s) said Thank You: SWest
Please Log in or Create an account to join the conversation.
- zippy61
-
- Offline
- User
- Posts: 8
- Thanks: 10
Re: KZ1100 Head Gasket Change
03 Jun 2024 14:32
Like Daveo says, if the gasket has large enough holes for the o rings to pass through then use them.If the holes are smaller than the O.D of the o rings then don't.The o rings are flattened too much with the wrong gasket and push in towards the studs, especially with thicker Ape studs.It'll cut off oil supply.Ask me how I know!
The following user(s) said Thank You: sf4t7, Wookie58
Please Log in or Create an account to join the conversation.
- SWest
-
- Offline
- Sustaining Member
- 10 22 2014
- Posts: 23338
- Thanks: 2877
Re: KZ1100 Head Gasket Change
03 Jun 2024 16:08
I suspect using the wrong gasket will make it weep oil.
Z1b1000 1975 Z1b
kzrider.com/forum/11-projects/598262-kz-...-will-it-live#672882
kzrider.com/forum/2-engine/597654-poser?start=240#704229
kzrider.com/forum/11-projects/598262-kz-...-will-it-live#672882
kzrider.com/forum/2-engine/597654-poser?start=240#704229
Please Log in or Create an account to join the conversation.