200s compression really high.

[rg97]

chances are when you rip it back apart, the gasket will be toast. even if it isnt though, spend the few bucks and get another one

[MonkOFox]

Yeah It's really flimsy anyway. Would you recommend me get the head and the jug (the surfaces that meet) machined/resurfaced? If so, how would I know whether or not to use 2 head gaskets or not?

[rg97]

put a straight edge (that you know is 100% straight) across the head and jug at several points and angles to see if they are warped before you decide on resurfacing it. Just because you're leaking oil doesnt necessarily meant that it's the mating surface's fault. make sure to "scrape" the mating surfaces (top and bottom) to remove all the old gasket crap. Dont gouge it, but all of the old gasket needs removed so you're down to bare metal. Major imperfections could be a problem in the surfaces, small stuff probably wont cause you any problems. replace the o-ring that goes between the head and jug, see if that works. buy a honda OEM gasket, not any of the other stuff. If you buy OEM, then it should come with an instruction sheet about the changes to the gasket. If it doesnt, I can make a copy and post it. once you do that stuff, try a dry fit together of the engine, see if you can get a feeler gauge, like .002", into the side where its leaking.

[MonkOFox]

Awesome, I can handle that. My brother in law has some gasket remover stuff I'll try that and some carb. cleaner / alcohol to get it clean, clean. I'll slap it all together, oil free, and see how everything fits. Torqued down I'm assuming my smallest feeler shouldn't even fit, so I'll do that sometime in the next couple of weeks and post some results!

[CodyRosa]

Oh my bad RG! haha I was thinking thats what you meant but just kinda assumed 1/2 socket. Now what you say makes perfect sense =D lol

[MonkOFox]

Can running too hot of a plug (over time) eventually cause a head gasket to leak? I'm sure the integrity of the gasket degrades over time which can be an issue. Also if the head is warped. Warping is caused by over heating right (or can be)? I'm just trying to get a better understand of why and how they can potentially start to leak.

Haven't tore it down completely yet. Took the CDI off and stuff. Having my 3rd boy tomorrow morning so I'm a little preoccupied!

[oscarmayer]

i think you have the cam binding. when you changed trhe valve cover, you know that part of that cover is "matched" to the head right? so changing them out means the clearances are different, this can cause binding. the only way to fix is to take the head completely apart take the cover and head to a machine shop and have them home the cam journals. that will make then true into spec. you can test this by going to the auto store and getting micing putty (forget what they call it now), and use that to tell the clearances of the cam to the journals when you tighten it down. i am pretty sure you will fid it out of spec.

[MonkOFox]

I changed that piston. The 'compression' issue seems to be resolved. Though, i dont doubt that head and cover arent matching completely. I got it running though. Could that binding make the head and jug not meet flush?