Plug well procedure?

[Smoke00]

Im a very novice mechanic but I am going to try and replace the plug well gaskets on my own. I was wondering if there were any tips or any small steps that I should take that might not be so obvious to those like myself

Any help would be great!

Thanks

 

[Slo-Sho]

Don't overtighten those valve cover bolts!! You WILL be sorry. thumbs_u

 

[smcallis]

Get the 60k video from SHONut. It will show you the entire procedure.

 

[sdpatt]

You should have my valve gapping procedure in your email box.

 

[ckinart]

scott, would you mind sending me that procedure as well? thanx.

 

[Smoke00]

Thanks scott, that should help out alot!

 

[pete c]

slo, I did my well seals last weak. I tightened the valve cover bolts fairly snugly, but not too tight. What is the danger? Snapping them off? BTW, I used a light coat of high tack gasket sealer on the well seals. Is this OK?

 

[sdpatt]

Pete,

Here is the step from my procedure about installing the valve covers. I have found through personal experience how each failure method plays out.

46. Install the valve cover bolts and washers (place the best looking bolts on the forward valve cover) and carefully torque them to 8-11 lb-ft (96-132 lb-in). DO NOT over torque the valve cover bolts. This can result in the either the bolts shearing or the aluminum threads in the head stripping. Neither is desirable.

The sealant on the well seals won't hurt anything, but it most likely won't help either. The seals have two sealing surfaces: top and bottom. You probably only applied the sealer to the bottom surface. I believe it is the upper surface that mates with the valve covers themselves that is the primary leakage path. No harm done, but now youhave a bit more work to do to clean the sealing surface when you want to install the seals when you replace them.

 

[pete c]

I did both sides scott. I realize that if I ever have to pry those seals out again it will be a **** possibly, but, I use that hi tack stuff everywhere and have been pleased with it. Try getting the valve cover to a 1980 CB750F back on without the stuff, it is impossible.

 

[sdpatt]

Silicone would probably have been a better choice.

Scott

 

[whfla1]

but you ( sdpatt ) are saying it is not really a big issue to apply it to the plug seals ? they seal themselves , right ?

 

[pete c]

they are supposed to seal themselves. I just figured I'd give them a little assistance. Maybe it was a dumb idea since I gotta crack it open again soon for the valve lash check.

 

[whfla1]

i dont think it was a dumb idea at all...i was just wandering if it mattered doing it or not...

 

[sdpatt]

Silicone would have been a better choice than the high tack sealant, but no sealant would have been an even better choice. The new seals do not need any assistance. The silicone should only be used when there is oil in the plug wells, the valve covers have been removed and a new seal set is not available.

Scott