Honda-SOHC

SOHC.co.uk Forums => CB350/400 => Topic started by: Bradders on November 05, 2025, 02:48:56 PM

Title: Gasket removal.
Post by: Bradders on November 05, 2025, 02:48:56 PM

Hi all. I have decided to replace the top end gaskets due to a worsening oil leak. I’ve nearly got to the point where I need to remove the base gasket and prepare the surfaces for new gaskets. Was wondering what is the best thing to use? Is it just a gasket scraper and lots of elbow grease?

Title: Re: Gasket removal.
Post by: Bryanj on November 05, 2025, 04:42:45 PM

That plus keep soalking the gasket, wd40 will do.

If you want some O rings for the head gasket to stop a future leak pm me

Title: Re: Gasket removal.
Post by: Bradders on November 05, 2025, 05:30:55 PM

Hi Bryanj. Thanks for the reply. Will definitely take you up on the offer of new O rings.

Title: Re: Gasket removal.
Post by: Bryanj on November 05, 2025, 11:25:33 PM

PM me your address, they are a bit thicker to compensate for the non asbestos thicker gasket

Title: Re: Gasket removal.
Post by: neat street on November 06, 2025, 08:27:12 AM

I am afraiid at least from my experience, gasket scraper and elbow grease, did use lots of WD, but that did not seem to do much :-(

Title: Re: Gasket removal.
Post by: Bradders on November 06, 2025, 09:02:02 AM

Quote from: neat street on November 06, 2025, 08:27:12 AM

I am afraiid at least from my experience, gasket scraper and elbow grease, did use lots of WD, but that did not seem to do much :-(

Indeed I am resigning myself to lots of elbow grease, I read somewhere, can’t remember where, that this person spent 10 hours preparing the surfaces!

Title: Re: Gasket removal.
Post by: Bradders on November 06, 2025, 01:13:27 PM

Quote from: Bryanj on November 05, 2025, 11:25:33 PM

PM me your address, they are a bit thicker to compensate for the non asbestos thicker gasket

.   PM sent Bryan.

Title: Re: Gasket removal.
Post by: JezzaPeach on November 06, 2025, 01:32:00 PM

A hot air blower and a wood chisel as you can control it better than a Stanley blade and stop it ‘catching’.

Title: Re: Gasket removal.
Post by: Rayzerman on November 06, 2025, 01:53:07 PM

I use Permatex gasket remover, I spray or brush it on (only to where you want it) and leave for up to half hour.  This softens old gaskets.  May need a couple of applications, but scrape off the softer stuff first.

Wondering if you could carefully brush on some paint stripper.......

Title: Re: Gasket removal.
Post by: Seabeowner on November 06, 2025, 06:59:16 PM

I usually soak it with wd40 and use a window scraper that uses standard Stanley blades. Quick to replace and wide enough to slide to the side to cut through stubborn stuff.

Title: Re: Gasket removal.
Post by: Bradders on November 06, 2025, 07:09:06 PM

Thanks for the tips guys. Do you put anything in particular on the surfaces before putting the new gaskets on or is it just a case of making sure the old stuff is off?

Title: Re: Gasket removal.
Post by: taysidedragon on November 06, 2025, 08:16:03 PM

Quote from: Bradders on November 06, 2025, 07:09:06 PM

Thanks for the tips guys. Do you put anything in particular on the surfaces before putting the new gaskets on or is it just a case of making sure the old stuff is off?

Just make sure that the surface is as clean and smooth as you can get it.