Head Gaskets

Has anybody found a source for head gaskets? I'm planning on replacing the rings in my spare motor and I'm pretty sure I'll need some. Is it possible to make your own out of gasket material or do they have metal around the edges?

Chris

 

Get OEM. The aftermarkets have a tendency to fail.

I got mine from Dave Dodge: http://www.drp123.com/contactus.html

Shoot him an e-mail.

Tip: After installing the headgaskets and adding oil, DO NOT ADD COOLANT and run the engine until it is warm to the touch. This will release the glue impregnated in the gasket and will help seal. Once cooled back down, add coolant.

 

If you are talking about the VF500F, the rear head gasket is discontinued. The only difference between the two gaskets is the added feature to seal the breather on the rear head gasket.
I had to buy two front head gaskets, mill an o-ring groove around the breather hole on the rear head, and install a viton o-ring. The material rating on the viton o-ring is sufficient for the head temperatures seen in that area.

 

I e-mailed dave dodge. He said he doesn't get those anymore and he also said the same thing that the rears have been discontinued. That makes no sense. Why would they only discontinue one? Has anyone confirmed that the VTR 250 is just a 500 engine split in half?

Chris

 

Sometimes they build up an inventory, then stop making more. The rear head gasket inventory may have diminished quicker. Or, maybe the tooling that made the parts broke, and they didn't want to fork out the money to build another one.