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Head Gasket

Submitted by gary_knowles1 on Mon, 06/03/2023
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Heavy Twins

Hi, Is there anywhere I could buy a composite head gasket for a Dominator 99 with spigoted barrels? Can't seem to seal it with the copper one. 

Submitted by jonathan_newton on Mon, 06/03/2023

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Is there an issue with the components that needs addressing or are your procedures causing the issue?  

  • Any damage or distortion to the sealing surfaces?
  • Are the bolts/studs/nuts still up to the job, fit cleanly into place and threads are good? 
  • Is your annealing process for the copper gasket even and of sufficient temperature
  • Is the tightening process followed and do you match the torque placed on the rear centre stud to the overall process?

Just some ideas to go over if you can’t source what you are looking for. Where is the leak on the joint (using the clock with 12 being dead ahead?).  I take it we are not talking about increased compression ratios?
 

cheers

Jon

 

Hi Jon, The problem is the flatness of the barrels. I normally lap the faces, but being spigoted I  can't. The head is lapped flat. I just find it illogical to use a copper gasket on surface that is not perfectly flat, a composite would be fine.

 

Submitted by bob_matthews on Tue, 07/03/2023

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Hi Gary,  I too had this same problem with the flatness of the barrels inbetween the spigots allowing blow by.  Took me a long time to sort it.

Have a look at this thread - you can ignore the latter posts as it does get a bit tedious once Anna gets involved.

https://www.nortonownersclub.org/node/4860

Submitted by gary_knowles1 on Tue, 07/03/2023

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Hi Bob, I spent an hour or so filing high spots with a fine file, checking with a straight edge & a .001" feeler. I am getting somewhere. There was dips between the cylinders & elsewhere, also some original machining a bit rough. I wish I could find a composite gasket. The only one I can find at the moment is in a full gasket set from Feked. 

 

Submitted by robert_tuck on Tue, 07/03/2023

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NOS  gasket sets come up regularly on E bay.  Avoid anything from India. Its worth finding a decent composite gasket . My 99 has not been disturbed for 25 years or more. Yes there sometimes is a small seep of oil but I think its from  stud holes that allow oil down the threads .

 



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