GL1000 Head Gasket, Take 2: Cylinder Wall Pits?

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robin1731
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Re: GL1000 Head Gasket, Take 2

#16

Post by robin1731 »

Lucien Harpress wrote:I've been looking at prices for getting the head resurfaced, and for what it is it's not that expensive. The trick now is to find a place relatively local enough that actually DOES it....

Plan on starting gasket removal today. Am curious how flat the head actually IS...

That's why mine all get done at the machine shop. Worth every penny. And good machine shop that does heads should be able to surface them.
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Re: GL1000 Head Gasket, Take 2

#17

Post by Psycrow »

Just went through this. No machine shop locally here would touch my heads. The last one I called actually suggested a piece of plate glass and 220 grit wet/dry sand paper. Since I've read the same here I went with that method. It was a PIA but they look pretty good.

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Re: GL1000 Head Gasket, Take 2

#18

Post by Lucien Harpress »

Got the old gasket off and sort of half way a check of the head flatness. It seemed pretty good- maybe a bit of of a low spot in between the cylinders (which is where it blew last time), but more than likely my straightedge was crap (which was just a metal ruler I had lying around. Also, there was still bits of old gaskets hanging on, so that test was basically meaningless).

It may be small enough I can resurface it myself using the sandpaper and glass method, but I'd still like to find a local machine shop. Rumor is there's a couple kicking around. I'll probably do that to the block, though, just to be sure that's okay.
1997 Valkyrie- Light Cutomization, but Too Busy Riding
1980 KZ1300- Bike's Haunted
1976 GL1000 (Yellow)- It Runs (Poorly) and Doesn't Leak (Mostly)
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1972 CB750- Broke the Chain And Ate the Motor
1969 CT90- The Most Fun You Can Have on 90ccs.
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Re: GL1000 Head Gasket, Take 2

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Post by Earl43P »

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Re: GL1000 Head Gasket, Take 2

#20

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Psycrow wrote:Just went through this. No machine shop locally here would touch my heads. The last one I called actually suggested a piece of plate glass and 220 grit wet/dry sand paper. Since I've read the same here I went with that method. It was a PIA but they look pretty good.

Psy
Bummer...I got a guy that will do wing heads for $30.00 each...And good turn around time.
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Re: GL1000 Head Gasket, Take 2

#21

Post by robin1731 »

alwing17 wrote:
Psycrow wrote:Just went through this. No machine shop locally here would touch my heads. The last one I called actually suggested a piece of plate glass and 220 grit wet/dry sand paper. Since I've read the same here I went with that method. It was a PIA but they look pretty good.

Psy
Bummer...I got a guy that will do wing heads for $30.00 each...And good turn around time.

yeah, I can't believe they won't do them. They are no different than any other aluminum head. And I have to say Lucien, you have lost 2 head gaskets now. Why not do the job right and get the head surfaced. I know some here are fine with glass and sand paper. I've said it before, hang the cost. Do the job right and be sure. No need to hope you got it flat.
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Re: GL1000 Head Gasket, Take 2

#22

Post by Toehead »

I have a surface table at work, and the glass trick works pretty dang well.

But, if you have a local guy and don't mind springing for it, the machine shop is a sure bet.

Edit- If you have a low spot on the block as well, you can get the head as flat as you like and you will still have trouble. If you spend time to get the head resurfaced, perhaps the deck should get the same treatment.
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Re: GL1000 Head Gasket, Take 2

#23

Post by Old Fogey »

Toehead wrote: If you spend time to get the head resurfaced, perhaps the deck should get the same treatment.

That's a whole different ball game!

If you can find someone to do it, it's engine out and a complete strip down so that it can be done in two halves. Then you have the added cost of the gasket set...........then you start looking at....."well, since it's open and I don't want to have to do this again I might as well put new seals in, and maybe do the rings as well. Those bearings don't look too clever, need to see if I can find some.........)" etc, etc,

That's why I said back at the beginning, you really don't want to go there!
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Re: GL1000 Head Gasket, Take 2

#24

Post by robin1731 »

It's possible but rare for the block to get out of shape. There is just too much material there. If the engine gets way over heated then yes, but then you'll probably have other problems too.

If you take an aluminum head/heads in for a valve job to most shops they nearly always do a surface on them too.
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Re: GL1000 Head Gasket, Take 2

#25

Post by Toehead »

:) These things really are a can of worms
2012 Golf TDI, fast and frugal oil burner
1980 CX500C, All around road warrior (Sold)
1975 TS125 (Sold), old smoker
1977 naked GL1000, Highway cruiser
'81 GL1100 14,000 (reconditioned and sold)
'81 GL1100 50,000 miles (under construction)
2X 1981 CM400 beginner bike (sold)
1980 CB750C (sold)
1994 Virago 750 (Wifey's bike)
'76 GL1000 Sulphur Yellow (Megasquirted efi build) http://www.ngwclub.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=47&t=59774
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Re: GL1000 Head Gasket, Take 2

#26

Post by Lucien Harpress »

Old Fogey wrote:
Toehead wrote: If you spend time to get the head resurfaced, perhaps the deck should get the same treatment.

That's a whole different ball game!

If you can find someone to do it, it's engine out and a complete strip down so that it can be done in two halves. Then you have the added cost of the gasket set...........then you start looking at....."well, since it's open and I don't want to have to do this again I might as well put new seals in, and maybe do the rings as well. Those bearings don't look too clever, need to see if I can find some.........)" etc, etc,

That's why I said back at the beginning, you really don't want to go there!
I think I'll settle for the glass trick when it comes to the block.... :mrgreen:

I'm going to make a trip or two on my lunch break. Apparently there's a local towing company (?) that used to or still does head work. They came re commended by a couple people, so we will see.
1997 Valkyrie- Light Cutomization, but Too Busy Riding
1980 KZ1300- Bike's Haunted
1976 GL1000 (Yellow)- It Runs (Poorly) and Doesn't Leak (Mostly)
1974 Velosolex 3800- Better Than Walking
1972 CB750- Broke the Chain And Ate the Motor
1969 CT90- The Most Fun You Can Have on 90ccs.
1965 CA77 Dream- Needs a Full Teardown, but Complete

All advice I give is only valid until an expert corrects me.
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Re: GL1000 Head Gasket, Take 2: Cylinder Wall Pits?

#27

Post by Lucien Harpress »

I got to looking at the open engine block today, and noticed something troubling about cylinder 3. While the cylinder walls in No. 1 are nice and smooth, I noticed a couple of small pits in the bottom of 3. They aren't too far in, but I don't know how far the cylinder comes out, either. I can get a picture here in a minute or two, but I'm really hoping that this motor isn't toast...
1997 Valkyrie- Light Cutomization, but Too Busy Riding
1980 KZ1300- Bike's Haunted
1976 GL1000 (Yellow)- It Runs (Poorly) and Doesn't Leak (Mostly)
1974 Velosolex 3800- Better Than Walking
1972 CB750- Broke the Chain And Ate the Motor
1969 CT90- The Most Fun You Can Have on 90ccs.
1965 CA77 Dream- Needs a Full Teardown, but Complete

All advice I give is only valid until an expert corrects me.
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Lucien Harpress
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Re: GL1000 Head Gasket, Take 2: Cylinder Wall Pits?

#28

Post by Lucien Harpress »

Okay, pics. Hopefully you could be able to see them just to the left of the penny (for comparison).
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1997 Valkyrie- Light Cutomization, but Too Busy Riding
1980 KZ1300- Bike's Haunted
1976 GL1000 (Yellow)- It Runs (Poorly) and Doesn't Leak (Mostly)
1974 Velosolex 3800- Better Than Walking
1972 CB750- Broke the Chain And Ate the Motor
1969 CT90- The Most Fun You Can Have on 90ccs.
1965 CA77 Dream- Needs a Full Teardown, but Complete

All advice I give is only valid until an expert corrects me.
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Re: GL1000 Head Gasket, Take 2: Cylinder Wall Pits?

#29

Post by Old Fogey »

Run the piston to the bottom, put some grease around it to catch any bits and use some 400 Emery cloth to clean up the are we are looking at, so we can see what you have to deal with.
If those two are the only pits, I don't think you have anything to worry about. I've seen engines with far worse than that run fine.
When was this engine last run? It looks like water has been lying in there for some time.
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Re: GL1000 Head Gasket, Take 2: Cylinder Wall Pits?

#30

Post by Lucien Harpress »

It's been a while. Too long probably. A couple weeks?

The benefits of having three project bikes and no money..... fly into a rage
1997 Valkyrie- Light Cutomization, but Too Busy Riding
1980 KZ1300- Bike's Haunted
1976 GL1000 (Yellow)- It Runs (Poorly) and Doesn't Leak (Mostly)
1974 Velosolex 3800- Better Than Walking
1972 CB750- Broke the Chain And Ate the Motor
1969 CT90- The Most Fun You Can Have on 90ccs.
1965 CA77 Dream- Needs a Full Teardown, but Complete

All advice I give is only valid until an expert corrects me.
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