GT750 Oil Pump Housing Leak and the "Paper Gasket"

[JomamaGT]

My mechanic rebuilt my 1976 Suzuki GT750 oil pump but hit a snag when he could not find the infamous "paper gasket" installed between the upper and lower halves of the oil pump housing. I finally obtained some through a source in the Netherlands. The gaskets are composed of thin paper. Upon installation. the gasket failed in very short order. I have suggested putting sealant between my remaining two gaskets and allowing the sealant to dry. This would increase the thickness with no chance of interference with the passages while increasing the crush factor. What say you? Has anyone faced this problem and come up with a solution? Any guidance or suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

[Suzsmokeyallan]

To solve your dilemma you will need to buy the correct gasket from Gtreiner in Germany.

[pearljam724]

I made a couple out of a gasket sheet. 7-10 bucks at an automotive store. Leak free. Takes a little fine cutting with an exacto knife. I would advise against using any kind of sealant.

[JomamaGT]

Thanks to everyone for the inputs. Reiner says his gaskets might be available next week. In the meantime my mechanic tried a little sealant - seems to be holding. I will order Reiner's just in case.

[pearljam724]

Holding a leak is one thing. I'd tripple check that none of the oil ports get blocked by any sealant. Even if he allowed it to dry first, the sealant will expand when the head is tightened down. Pushing the sealant over top of the ports. With the close proximity of each oil port and inner, outer edge of the rim. The rim has very little thickness where the body of the pump meets the head. No room for the slightest expansion. Im talking 1 to 1.5 mm at most. Some areas of the rim have less as the oil ports were machined poorly. Very bad idea, if I may kindly say. I say that, to help you from seizing your motor.

[JomamaGT]

While we are waiting for the gaskets from Reiner, my mechanic attempted to make one of his own. The leak transferred to around the actuator arm. I think I read where if the gasket was too thick, a leak of this nature would develop. Can anyone address this strange turn of events?

[pearljam724]

Ive made a few of them. Placed 2 of those 3 on separate pumps. I cant tell you what sheet thickness I used. I can't remember what I bought. But, they weren't very thick. It's near impossible to fabricate one yourself out of anything thicker. You have to do some extremely fine cutting and a thicker gasket makes that hard to do. The sheet I used was the same thickness as the stock gasket. I haven't the slightest leak on either pump. If you'd like for me to make you one, I'll do that to help you out. Just shoot me a pm with your address. I have no problem making you one, but you would have to allow me a week for you to receive it. Another thing I'd suggest. Replace the phillip screws with allans. That will allow you to torque the head down slightly tighter. I bought my sheet from a shop that does a lot of high performance automotive engine building.

[JomamaGT]

Pearljam - Thank you for your incredibly generous offer. However, my gaskets from GTReiner should arrive this week. I really hope this solves my leak situation and I can get my bike on the road. After the carb cleaning and Accent electronic ignition, it's running really well. I will use allen screws - what a great suggestion! Anyway, you folks are the best!

[tz375]

Just don't over-tighten those cap head screws. They are only 4mm and don't need a lot of torque. Standard torque is 1.1 to 4.0 ft pounds of torque. I think that converts to 1 pinkie finger on a 4" wrench.