Camshaft Plugs- R&R or Leave Them Alone? And Sealant Question

83 KZ750-L3

Just cleaned the gasket from the head (it was stuck good, so I think it was original... pink color, head looked like it had never been scraped.)  Kawasaki service manual says to replace the camshaft plugs, but mine show no signs of leaking, but I do realize they are old, and probably hard & brittle.

But if I'm only r&r the gasket, do I truly need to disturb these plugs?  And if I should remove them so the sealant can also be replaced, should I buy new ones?  My parts lists are starting to really add up. 

And as for the sealant, the manual states to apply it to the circumference part of the plug, but should I put any on top of them, and where is the best location to put the sealant on the bolt, so it seals properly?  Down in the plug's hole, or the hole in the head?  Somewhere along the bolt shank/threads?

(I did search btw.  I'm new, and asking lots of questions, so trying to follow good netiquette.)

Thanks!

It's always going to be a coin toss whether to reuse these or not, might be fine but maybe not? Good chance they are hard as a brick and rubber shrinks ya know. Plus now that you've relieved the pressure off them, previous bonding might not still be there. What i will add is if/while emptying your wallet, buy OEM ones. Aftermarket ones are often too soft, different rubber compound, or ill fitting. Don't think i've ever seen an OEM PINK head gasket, maybe a PINK cam cover gasket though. Also be be picky where you source that camcover gasket, buy fresh stock. Even NOS OEM ones distort and become brittle in the factory packaging sitting on the shelf.    

asphalt900 wrote:

Don't think i've ever seen an OEM PINK head gasket, maybe a PINK cam cover gasket though.

Also be be picky where you source that camcover gasket, buy fresh stock. Even NOS OEM ones distort and become brittle in the factory packaging sitting on the shelf.    
 

Yes, cam cover gasket was pink on the insides.  It was stuck pretty good, so what I meant was the portions that you see as it tears off, as opposed to the outer surfaces.

I read an old post by Nessism who mentioned to only buy OEM for those gaskets, but Partzilla doesn't have them, and I could only find 1 on ebay that was OEM, so Idk how I can find one that I know is new.  I've already ordered it, so we'll see...

If they were not leaking, .....leave them alone. .....If, and only If, were going to be resealed, use black silicon only on the periphery around the head.   None above,..the head gasket will take care of that.    ...Use thread sealant on the bolt threads.,..or it may seep through them.