Lt 500 Headgasket leaking

[874Q2]

I have had 2 87s with no major head problems, maybe im just lucky, id say get a cometic gasket set, dont bother changing the head bolts yet, not onless you have some major problems, basicaly dont fix what aint broke.

if the cylinder piston and rings are all still good dont replace, maybe re-hone the cylinder, or new top end kit whatever,,, but just a regular gasket, tourqued down evenly and get that kid riding

[javelinasports]

Ok, I have taken the head off but I have a question.
The head has 2- grooves that I believe O-rings go their but I bought a top end gasket from Cometic and it only came with a single gasket.
Do I have to have the O-ring gaskets? Should I remove them, one of them was shredded.
Should I use something like RTV on the gasket as well?
Thx folks.

[qzillanut]

HMMM. Someone o-ringed the head. I don't know how well that Cometic gasket will work, since it has been o-ringed. You might be better off to figure out what size o-ring it is set up for, and use the o-rings instead of a gasket.

Post pics of what's been done to the head.

[javelinasports]

I called Cometic and they said that the head I had was not original but they said that if I found O-rings I could use them along with thier gasket.
I look online and the factory head does not have grooves, I am not sure what type of head we have and why it has O-rings for gaskets.
I hope it works.......what would happen if water leaks into the piston? How can I tell if this happens?
Thx

[fulltiltrider]

If you find the orings you should not need a gasket. Get the orings, bolt the head back on and check your squish clearance. Do a search on squish clearence. No need for retyping lol

[Ganggreen]

I like the o-ring setup that I have in my 87. Allows me to check conditions of my top-end whenever need be without having to buy gaskets.

If anyone wants a 2nd option to Dr. Q, there is a guy in AZ named Jerry Hall of Halls Precision that is a wizard with the LT500.

[burgiebird]

Jerry Is A Good Man. If You All Want The Best Two Stroke Tech In Az Give Him Acall. Not To Mention He Is A Truly Nice Guy. Not A Cocky Bone In His Body.

[370banshee]

regardless of who makes what pipe that means nothing tothis thread.. actually i got an email from robert (aka DR.Q) about this pipe issue... he says that he and jerry had "shared" info in the past and went into some specifics about the whole thing... regardless it means nothing to the info in this thread.. thats about a zilla head gasket issue... so i took the liberty of deleting the posts about the fuckin pipe.... my advise to anyone worried about the issure of rob's pipe compared to jerry's pipe to contact the men involved and ask just that question.. internet rumors and "he said she said" information gets tainted and changed.. so if u wanna know so bad... email these guys and ask.... and lets leave the heresay at the door fellas...

[92rslt1]

To the original poster.. You really have 2 options when it comes to the head.
Its a given you need larger head studs. the 87 will stretch and it will leak.

You can just take the head off and inspect the top end and replace the gasket add some stop leak to the radiator and make sure to re torque the bolts a few times.
or
you can fix it for good using upgraded studs and a o ring head mod or copper no blow gaskets.

[evil_stroke]

ok so i didn't think i should start a new thread because my question is the same...except i just bought a copper head gasket from tudors and i put it on with some gaskit sealent from the local napa that they gave me...i took it out and warmed it up and noticed it was leaking...i talked to a buddy and he told me that he doesn't run anything with his tried that....again warmed it up and it leaking...when i inspected the head and jug i noticed there is gouges here and there around the coolant flow...im lost and don't know what to do...im thinkin bout gettin them shaved down but figured you guys would know what to do first

thnx