Hi Folks,

Long time no talk. I'm in the process of installing Bill's 351 kit and I have some questions.

Normally, when I'm reassembling after a thumper rebuild, I torque the head/cylinder bolts to spec, heat cycle the engine and wait until it's cold, then re-torque to spec before riding it. I have always done this with the threads dry. I see that the KLX250 manual specifies moly grease on the threads, which I've never done before. This implies to me that you're going to get a lot more force at a given torque. Do you still want to heat-cycle and re-torque? I'm also not sure what condition the grease on the threads is going to be in after a heat-cycle and would hate to cause problems.

If this is covered in a HowTo someplace, please point me to it. I searched but didn't find it. I was a little surprised not to see some hints in the box from Bill, which would have been nice.

 

I have never used the grease on those bolts.. I did however torque, heat up, then re-torque.. I just kept everything off the bike for ease in doing that.

Bike's been running great for many thousands of miles.

 

I used "Never Seize" on the thread and under the washer, torqued to factory specs.
I have not had a problem.

 

Funny this came up today, I was just at the parts store looking for molybdenum disulphide grease as called out by the manual. I'm trying to get all the stuff I need lined up for the 351 swap.
I'm tracking down Gasgacinch too. I know I can order it from Parts Unlimited at the local mcy shop, but would like to just pick it up someplace. Gasgacinch website shows it's sold at Carquest and NAPA, but both stores here in Rockford have never heard of it. I see that Edelbrock sells a product under the gasgacinch name. I also saw a post on another car forum that said Edlebrock now owns Gasgacinch?
Going to check the local hot rod shop monday to see if they have the Edelbrock stuff.
Coveror, good luck, and please post an update with your results.
Dan

 

Chaparral sells Gasgacinch, try them. If they are out of stock or ?, just PM me and I'll send you some. Great job on that guage fix !

 

Dont worry about brand names.. Gasgacinch is gasket in a tube... so are many things. I used permatex red (high heat) it has not leaked a drop since my install over 1000 miles ago.

I torqued the head, sealed it up and ran it from there, no retorquing. Did the heat cycle thing a few times and took it easy for 50 miles or so, but thats it. All is well with my install.


~Steve

 

The moly grease, antiseize, or similar thread treatments allow for a more precise torque reading. You notice they even recommend putting it under the head/cylinder bolt washers. The two dissimilar metals between the bolts and cases make a thread treatment a decent idea. Using antiseize on head and/or cylinder bolts has usually allowed me to not to have to retorque those bolts on many engine applications.

I just did a 300 kit with OEM Kaw parts, and they don't recommend gasket sealers on the head or cylinder base gaskets. I know that people use some sealers on these gaskets at times without issue, so it may not be dramatically critical in many cases. Of course Bill uses Cometic gaskets, if I understand correctly, so I don't know what they require, if anything. It's surprising to me how many gaskets made today don't need any gasket sealer at all.

 

Thanks for the advice y'all. I'm a complete engine rookie so I'm trying to do it by the book. If the hot-rod shop doesn't have the Gasgacinch, I won't sweat it. There was some permatex stuff at O'Reilys Auto parts that looked similar the the Gasgacinch. I will pick up some moly grease but it's good to know that it's not a make it or break it thing.

Newparts, Thanks for the that offer! I know I can order it at the local shop for about $8, so no sense in spending your money to send me some. I appreciate the offer though.

Dan

 

Thanks for the help, everybody. I am sure looking forward to getting it all back together. I've also got the BB TM33 carb and new rubber front and back, so it's going to be a whole new experience!

 

gasgacinch is NOT an rtv sealant, it is more like the older permatex sealer.
Any hotrod shop should have it, or get it. I had a speed shop order it because shipping on line was more than the cost of the small can. I paid a couple dollars more but saved on the shipping.