250r Head Gasket

[nickvo]

i installed a versah copper head gasket on my 250r with a fresh top end and after i installed it, it fired right up and ran for about 15 seconds (carb was in bad shape), then i fired it up again right after and it ran for about 15 seconds again... well today i tried firing up again and i was kicking and kicking and kicking and kicking and it wouldnt start, occasionally it would fire but it wont start. i took off the head and found my problem... there was oil all around the gasket and the gasket was covered with oil and gas all the way around evenly. so my head gasket isnt working. the head and cylinder appear to be perfectly flat but the gasket was kinda bent when i installed it. you would think since its copper it would bend back into shape ( which it is flat now) and it would work. is there a trick to installing copper gaskets? i have never used copper before so i dont know what to do. please help! this is all i need to get it running for the first time, im sure you know how anxious i am!

[SYKO]

was it a new gasket? and what year 250R is it? becouse the only copper gasket I know of would be for the air cooled kind, you can reaneal it and reuse it.

[nickvo]

its an 84, i just made up a gasket from a big sheet of cut out gasket maker. IT RUNS!!! oh boy is it ever quick too! 3 kicks and it fired right up. yes!

[SYKO]

im not to sure about running that type of material for a head gasket it probably made it a little bit higher compresion, I would keep in eye on it as well.

[Daddio]

Did you properly torque the head nuts when you installed the copper gasket? They should also be retorqued after it through a few heat cycles.

[nickvo]

well that didnt last long.... blew the gasket after 2 quick rides..... so what am i to do with this copper gasket? right now its oily and has a slight warp in it.

[Yamahondaman]

UGHHH !!! i'm with these guy's on the torqen "Gimmic" as far as Copper but ...When you gonna GIT a "85-86" ? Much BETTER !!
Sorry SYKO ... I Remember when you BLEW my door's in @ Ocala on the Road !! :beer

[SYKO]

yea Ron that ol 300 was a good one.... those days are long gone... soon to be replaced by liquid 500!!

oops thread jack

yea I figured that custom head gasket wouldnt take long to blow out lol!

you can reaneal the cooper gasket by putting it on your stove and getting it red hot and letting it cool, then reinstall it make sure all surfaces are flat and clean! anf tourqe it down! heat cycle (ride) a few times and retourqe it.

[1upfront]

yea Ron that ol 300 was a good one.... those days are long gone... soon to be replaced by liquid 500!!

oops thread jack

yea I figured that custom head gasket wouldnt take long to blow out lol!

you can reaneal the cooper gasket by putting it on your stove and getting it red hot and letting it cool, then reinstall it make sure all surfaces are flat and clean! anf tourqe it down! heat cycle (ride) a few times and retourqe it.

You can cut out your own copper head gaskets and have them hold up but it takes skills, on the left is one I cut out for my 300r it's half thickness.
http://i39.photobucket.com/albums/e183/lrdunlap/100_0272.jpg

[daniel_250r]

i am thinking your head is warped....or you arent tightening the bolts enough or they are shaking themselves loose and you need to put loctite on them

[nickvo]

it must have just needed to have the copper annealed and a good torquing down because now it runs like a champion. had it out yesterday ripping around on my buddies dirtbike track covered in snow! at first my clutch was slipping so bad i could barely move in 3 gear and my clutch was super hard to pull in. after a quick adjustment at the lever it was easier to pull but still slipped like crazy. i rode it for about half hour and all of a sudden it started grabbing and now the clutch works amazing, the engine is super powerful and it starts very easily. the suspension is awesome too! thanks guys for the help!