Hey,
I need some help from everyone. I recently purchased a new left crank case gasket off of classichondarestoration for my '64 CB77 Superhawk. When I tried to install it, I noticed that it didn't fits as snugly as I though it should.
I contacted conbs, who as been helping out on this project, and he recommended that I contact the seller. When emailed the buyer, this is the message I got back:
"Aaron, Looking at your pictures it appears you did not clean the engine or the mating surface that the gasket attaches too. Always clean the mating surface and apply gasket sealer or Honda Bond to secure the gasket to the cover. Looking at your pictures you never cleaned the cover or the mating surfaces or used any sealer. Once the gasket is sealed to the cover you can remove it later and the gasket is fine. Now I have sold over 250 of these gaskets without any problems, and all of my left crank case gaskets are exactly the same . Try doing what I recommend and you will be fine.....Tim"
Now do we agree with Tim and it is a user error on my part? Or is something not right here?
Gasket ProblemGasket Problem
Not sure what you mean by "snugly." If you mean that the holes don't line up exactly, that's OK, the screws will center it - they aren't off by that much. I would heed Tim's advice however, and spend some time cleaning the two mating surfaces, and looking for any tool marks, gouges, etc. that the gasket wouldn't seal. Hondabond is not necessary at that location. I like to put the two knock pins in the crankcase, then hang the gasket on those then put the cover on. Tickle the screws in to make sure they go through the holes in the gasket.
Left GasketI think Tim and 48 are both right on with the surfaces needing to be thoroughly cleaned/checked. I agree with 48 that you should not use Hondabond with this gasket.
My concern is that the gasket, as is, blocks a significant part of the oil port. As weak as the oil pumps are it seems like that is asking for trouble. It is true that the gasket can be made to line up better with the bottom screws put through the holes but, I think tickling the screw through that hole to the front of the oil port may be tricky as the screw hole is almost completely blocked by the gasket. Even if you get that done, I can't say the gasket won't still partially block that oil port when you do. It could be trimmed to eliminate any restriction but, then you are starting to get into some unnecessary effort. The holes in the gasket line up perfectly on the top where it won't leak or cause any restriction. Why all the trouble on the bottom? In the last picture, with it hanging on the two knock pins in the case, it is clear how the gasket naturally lays. It is just a poor fit. If you force alignment of the holes it will have to tweak the gasket somewhere else. Will the gasket tend to leak at the tweaked spot or "stick" there making it a one-time use gasket? I have no bone to pick with Tim. I have purchased items from him before and I appreciate all he has done for these bikes. It made me wonder if Nowhere didn't just end up with a fluke from Tim's stock. Tim's response seems to indicates otherwise. I have never bought one of these gaskets from him so I don't speak from experience. But, I thought that an explanation of my concerns was in order. I hope it is helpful. Agreed, but I would at least put all the screws in the case and see how it lines up. I've had those gaskets from some kits that looked at least that bad, but adjusted just fine with the screws in. It will squash down evenly and be OK. There are OEM versions out there that fit perfectly, but cost $30.
Re: Gasket ProblemIf you don't align the screw holes with all the screws before you tighten any screw you will have a problem like this.
I see you cut the area where the oil passes through. ............lm
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