Tecate Head Gasket

[BigGreenMachine]

Is there a reuseable copper head gasket made for the Tecate? Is the KX a copper head gasket?

How much thinner is the KX head gasket?

What is a good amount to mill off the Tecate head? 0.050?

[Curtis-Tecate3]

If you are running an 86/87 Tecate then the KX headgasket is noticeably thinner. Do not mill your head, just run the KX gasket which will put your compression over 210 lbs assuming your piston/rings are in good shape.

Curtis

[BigGreenMachine]

The 84/85 KX head gasket will put compression to 210lbs as well?

[tecat-z]

Do not use any other head gasket other than oem for 84-85 tecates. I've had nothing but headaches getting aftermarket gaskets to seal up. I know it doesnt make a lot of sense but thats how it is. The oem's have double sided soft pliable metal on both sides which conform much better, and have never had one seep water. Aftermarkets are not made this way, none of them . Oem's run $42 a piece but they work the first time. KX and tecate gaskets are the same as far as i know?? Don't mill your head either like was already mentioned. If you have a iron liner and its already oversized your already up there i bet. These seem to run best with 170-175 psi on a fresh top end. Going over 200psi will actually cost you power on top and risk detonation. I know a few respectable engine builders and when 2strokes dominated motocross just a few years ago they typically ran around 180psi. So it had strong torque at low revs but when powervalve opened and exhaust timing changed at wot, then compression dropped off to roughly 165 or so depending on bike. We have to find the happy medium with fixed exhaust.

[Tecate250]

I too have had problems with aftermarket gaskets. I find that re torqueing the cylinder helps out alot. I just hate taking off my exhaust and motor mount to do this. I am getting my dad to make up a tool so I can attach a wrench to my torque wrench. But it needs to be bent the right way.

[BigGreenMachine]

Cometic's head gasket is top notch and works great, haven't had one go on me yet. Moose makes a bad head gasket though. Coppercoat can be used as extra protection.

I was told 0.050 was a safe number on milling.

[tecat-z]

Again, it all depends on the size of your bore. More cylinder volume squeezed into the same area builds more cylinder pressure. Stock unmodified head on stock bore will be around 170ish. same head on 80 thou over will net around 220-230psi. Not good for engine performance or engine longevity. Keep this in mind.

[cr480r]

I was told 0.050 was a safe number on milling.

You dont want the squish band to get smaller in diameter than the bore. The tecate heads I have dont look like they should be cut at all, but maybe they have been modified already...IDK... Does the stock head have a step cut or recess? If it doesn't then I wouldnt cut any material off without having it re-chambered... You could also cut some material from the cylinder deck or make a thinner base gasket... What is the squish clearance of your stock set-up? I run my 250's at .040-.045 with good results.