riteristrob
Expert Class
Posts: 109
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posted March 29, 2009 11:39 AM
Checked Valves - Cover Gasket Replacement?
I just finished checking the valve clearance on my 02 ZX12R. After 17,000+ miles they all fell within the specified range. There were a few that were close to the bottom but putting in a .05mm thinner shim would put them at or over the top of the range. It didn't seem worth it for now. In a couple more years I'll think about a rebuild and big bore and do the proper valve adjustment then.
My question is........If it were you, would you replace the valve cover gasket now? There were no leaks before I pulled the valve cover, I'm thinking it should be ok to reuse. I did not take the gasket off the top of the head.
Thanks to Blitz for his outstanding guide on the valve check!
For those interested, here are the measured clearances for the valves. I used millimeters. Unfortunately I couldn't find a set of gauges that were closer in values than what I indicated. The * indicates that the clearances felt closer to that end of the range. The min is the smallest value that what would slide between the cam and lifter, the max is the next larger gauge which would not fit in the clearance.
#1 cylinder intakes 152 - 203* / 152 - 203*
#2 cylinder intakes 203* - 254 / 152 - 203*
#3 cylinder intakes 203* - 279 / 152* - 203
#4 cylinder intakes 203* - 254 / 152* - 203
#1 cylinder exhaust 254* - 279 / 254* - 279
#2 cylinder exhaust 254* - 279 / 254* - 279
#3 cylinder exhaust 254 - 305* / 203 - 254*
#4 cylinder exhaust 254* - 305 / 305* - 330
  
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whitehendrix
Zone Head
fails!
Posts: 757
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posted March 29, 2009 07:31 PM
 Edited By: whitehendrix on 30 Mar 2009 03:33
the gasket is reusable 
if it's not leaking, why fix it if it aint broke?
i have almost 90K on my 6-E and almost 40K on my 7-R without any leaks whatsoever.
if it's craking or severly distorted, yes.. but if the rubber is shiney and pliable, leave it.. save your money for some pizza and beer!
____________
Duct tape is the handyman's secret
weapon. The black is for formal
occasions. - ZRXDean
ill never own a busa unless
someone gives me one.... and then
ill sell it -KZScott
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KZScott
Needs a life
high on speed
Posts: 7235
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posted March 29, 2009 09:21 PM
there is some clear silicone(very thin) applied to the gasket from the factory. i remove all of that from the gasket and the head/cover and clean it very well with brake clean. then i put a very very thin coat of permatex ultra copper on both sides of the gasket. overkill? dunno? but no leaks 
____________
01 ZX-12R 8.84 @ 156.3 no bars, DOT tires. Pump Gas, NA.... turbo 8.47 @ 164.
00 ZX-12R 8.62 @ 165.2 no bars, slicks, Pump Gas, 55 shot.... turbo 8.32 @173
00 ZX-12R Fastest NA Kawasaki in the world 1: 222.046 1.5: 226.390 Loring AFB
00 ZX-12R street turbo 1: 227.9 1.5: 234.1 Loring AFB
00 ZX-12R LSR turbo 1: 263.1 1.5: 266.5 Loring AFB Worlds fastest ZX-12R
CMG Racing RCC Turbos
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riteristrob
Expert Class
Posts: 109
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posted March 30, 2009 05:43 AM
Great Idea! Thanks.
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whitehendrix
Zone Head
fails!
Posts: 757
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posted March 30, 2009 08:09 PM
scott.. always going above and beyond
____________
Duct tape is the handyman's secret
weapon. The black is for formal
occasions. - ZRXDean
ill never own a busa unless
someone gives me one.... and then
ill sell it -KZScott
|
entropy
Moderator
Posts: 8671
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posted March 30, 2009 09:46 PM
Edited By: entropy on 31 Mar 2009 05:49
quote:
I just finished checking the valve clearance on my 02 ZX12R. After 17,000+ miles they all fell within the specified range. There were a few that were close to the bottom but putting in a .05mm thinner shim would put them at or over the top of the range. It didn't seem worth it for now. In a couple more years I'll think about a rebuild and big bore and do the proper valve adjustment then.
My question is........If it were you, would you replace the valve cover gasket now? There were no leaks before I pulled the valve cover, I'm thinking it should be ok to reuse. I did not take the gasket off the top of the head.
Thanks to Blitz for his outstanding guide on the valve check!
For those interested, here are the measured clearances for the valves. I used millimeters. Unfortunately I couldn't find a set of gauges that were closer in values than what I indicated. The * indicates that the clearances felt closer to that end of the range. The min is the smallest value that what would slide between the cam and lifter, the max is the next larger gauge which would not fit in the clearance.
#1 cylinder intakes 152 - 203* / 152 - 203*
#2 cylinder intakes 203* - 254 / 152 - 203*
#3 cylinder intakes 203* - 279 / 152* - 203
#4 cylinder intakes 203* - 254 / 152* - 203
#1 cylinder exhaust 254* - 279 / 254* - 279
#2 cylinder exhaust 254* - 279 / 254* - 279
#3 cylinder exhaust 254 - 305* / 203 - 254*
#4 cylinder exhaust 254* - 305 / 305* - 330
hmmmmmm...
are you saying that your gauge sizes are limited to: 152, 203, 254, 279, 305, 330?
no intermediate sizes???
say it ain't so!
i must be missing something???
____________
This moderator uses moderation in moderation
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KZScott
Needs a life
high on speed
Posts: 7235
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posted March 31, 2009 12:32 AM
Edited By: KZScott on 31 Mar 2009 08:33
i never even noticed that part Karl! i just skimmed it and went to the question on the rubber gasket.
i had to convert to thou before it sunk in(for some reason my brain likes std for some stuff and metric for other stuff) you need to buy a set of feeler gauges!(not expensive) the ones i have go in .0005 in increments(.0127mm).
____________
01 ZX-12R 8.84 @ 156.3 no bars, DOT tires. Pump Gas, NA.... turbo 8.47 @ 164.
00 ZX-12R 8.62 @ 165.2 no bars, slicks, Pump Gas, 55 shot.... turbo 8.32 @173
00 ZX-12R Fastest NA Kawasaki in the world 1: 222.046 1.5: 226.390 Loring AFB
00 ZX-12R street turbo 1: 227.9 1.5: 234.1 Loring AFB
00 ZX-12R LSR turbo 1: 263.1 1.5: 266.5 Loring AFB Worlds fastest ZX-12R
CMG Racing RCC Turbos
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