Lt 500 Headgasket leaking

[javelinasports]

Hello I am new to this forum,
I bought my kid a 87 LT500 a few months ago and has ran great until this weekend.
He raced it quite a few times and did great but then I asked to ride it and raced up the hill missed 2nd it was winding out took it up the hill and came back and noticed water steam coming out of the top of the head.
I am sure this is nothing new but I am wondering if anyone knows if we should get head work or get a new top end done during this time?
My kid was not too happy but I told him I would pay for it!
If anyone has some info on this or can give me suggestions on how to modify it a little more without spending a arm and a leg, I would appreciate it.
It has a pipe and a 39MM KEIHIN carb, thats all I can tell that it has.
P.S does anyone recommend any shop in AZ?
Thanks

[bs traction]

welcome to the site there are some guys running copper gaskets on there lt500 i havent switched over to them yet ive also heard that 87 where bad for that check out lt500 forums lots of info there

[qzillanut]

The 87's were a little prone to head gasket problems. In 88 they redesigned the jug, and added an extra head bolt.

The best way to prevent it from happening again is to put larger studs in the head, and torque it a little tighter. The zilla's had detonation problems, so premium or race gas is a must. Preferably race gas.

If you want to get a copper head gasket, Dr. Q sells them. He can be found at quadracerhq.com He is probably the biggest zilla guru on the planet. He has a fix for the head that helps prevent detonation, which you might want to consider also.

[javelinasports]

Thanks guys,
Do you think that we need to take a look at piston damage or ?
We shut it down right away when we saw this.
Thanks

[qzillanut]

You might consider it. You can get a top end gasket kit for not much more money than just a head gasket. It will have every thing you need to pull the jug off and inspect. A wiseco piston isn't too expensive and they are a lot better piston than stock. If it doesn't already have a wiseco, I would probably put one in it while it's apart. It probably already has one though.

[fulltiltrider]

Get the bigger studs for the head. Copper gaskets work well. My head is cut for o-rings, never had a problem. As for any damage, do a compression check. If that turns out good you are probably fine.

Get someone to redo that head, it'll run alot better. Also I would see if you can find a set of billet thrust washers and use the rm wristpin bearing before the stock washers cost you alot of money.

[Paulie B]

Thanks for the tips fellas. Bigger head studs is a very doable upgrade for my leaking head problems.

[SnowZilla]

Originally Posted by fulltiltrider

Also I would see if you can find a set of billet thrust washers and use the rm wristpin bearing before the stock washers cost you alot of money.

I see billet thrust washers mentioned alot when talking about LT500 improvements. Can someone explain what these are and why they are better? I assume you are not referring to the thrust washer for the clutch or are you???

Also, what is the reference to the RM Wristpin bearing? RM as in RM250? I'm currently rebuilding my engine and I purchased the Wiseco wristpin bearing. Is this one OK to use?

Thanks,
SZ

[javelinasports]

Being mechanically inclined but not having worked on these, is it very complicated to work on these 2-strokes, like piston change, head bolts, changing reeds??
Thanks in advance.

[Paulie B]

Originally Posted by javelinasports

Being mechanically inclined but not having worked on these, is it very complicated to work on these 2-strokes, like piston change, head bolts, changing reeds??
Thanks in advance.

2 strokes are a pretty simple design. Get a manual for your quad. IMO anybody can change a 2 stroke piston in 30 minutes or less. Way easier then a late model 4 stroke!