Hi guys, need to call on your invaluable advice again if I may? Got my engine out and getting ready to paint soon. I've had all the cam covers, valve inspection covers etc off to paint and wondered how important it is to replace the gaskets? Secondly, if they do require new ones, anyone got any recommendations where to get a set. I've looked on ebay and Google searched it but I can only find individuals or full top kits. Both of which are silly money. Any help would be greatly appreciated.
I reuse them numerous times before i replace them. I just put a really thin smear of gasket sealent on them and retorque. If i do ever buy new ones i normally just go to a dealer or get them off ebay.
I've never fitted new one's in my life and I've done a LOT of work to my bike. Never had one leak either. As doogal says. Little bit of sealant (if you can be bothered) and good to go.
You can get away with sealant on the valve inspection covers. The covers over the rocker pins however, use new. The covers are part of the oil distribution around the heads and sealant can cause blockages. The cam rockers need all the help they can get and bunging the oil ways up does no good at all. Personally, I fit new gaskets every time. O-rings to the cam bearing housings to. To do the lot is about 12 quid..... It's not worth the hassle of oil leaks around the belts or potential problems IMO.
You can usually tell by feel, if they are hard like liquorice then replace, if still soft then a quick smear of MS40 grease and you're good to go.
