Making gaskets

[magnetnerd]

Well, I don't really know much about this other than that it's possible. I'm in the middle of putting my engine back together after having torn it apart. I was going to order a new top end gasket kit, but they're kinda spendy. I was planning on getting my head gasket and valve cover gasket from the dealer, but can anyone tell me a way to make the other gaskets I'd need? I want to make sure I get the correct thicknesses. Also...if you have any tips for making a head gasket, that would be awesome also.

[Unique]

hi  and    Magnetnerd

You can usually get gaskets making paper/card, usually the colour is brown and comes in various thicknesses from car accessories or motor factors or possible some bike shops,
Don’t try using normal paper or card as these are no good.

Making the gaskets, one way is to cut out a bit of gasket card and lay it over the part  you want to make the new gasket for. and using a small ball head hammer tap lightly around the edge of opening were the gasket will seat and hopeful you have a new gasket !!.

As for the head gasket I wouldn't try to make one of these, get new one from your dealer.

The valve cover, you more then likely will not get paper the right thicknesses or size of paper to make one up, if the old one is still ok you should be able to reuse it, or again new one from your dealer.

Dek.

[Chris H]

Hi,
I usually give the old valve cover gasket a light wash in soapy water and am still on the original.
Regards the paper gaskets you can smear oil around the part you need the gasket for and then after sitting this on the new gasket paper you will get an outline to cut around.