Replacing engine gaskets and....

[solgirl]

I am in the process of replacing the head gaskets on my 97 Honda 600f3. Here is a couple of pics of what I found and I am curious of what you guys think.

[DuncanMoto]

What was the reason for replacing the head gaskets?
Was the compression off?
Was it letting coolant in?

[solgirl]

There was a head gasket leak. I believe that it stemmed from an overheating incident back in 08. I changed the coolant and fan switch. It then started a small leak out from head around the exhaust side.

I dont know if the compression was off or if the coolant was mixing.

[DuncanMoto]

I would be checking for warpage ahead of all else.
Depending on your plans for this bike I may take it apart and hone cylinders add rings and rebuild head.
I am definitly not the expert here on this, but other, more qualified people like Degsy, will chime in shortly.

PM Bergs as he has lots of experience with those engines. He's not to far from you. He was the bald guy at the Whippersnappers that night.

[Expat]

If it overheated, definately check for warp!

[Degsy]

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Sorry to say those cylinders and many of the valves are in very bad shape. The fact that cyl 3 and 4 look worse tells me the head is likely warped and will need skimming, a valve seat job and new valves. The cylinders need honing and you should replace pistons and rings. The upshot is that you should just look for a used running motor. Sorry to bring bad news.

[Paul_E_D]

Yes, While it's apart you definitely want to lap the head surface. You can do this yourself with a piece of plate glass, marble tile, or other hard, truly flat surface and some lapping compound. Spread some of the paste on the stone/glass and put the mating surface of the head on the paste. make gentle figure 8s with the head until it looks uniformly shiny on the sealing surface. Clean well with hot soapy water when finished.

I might also put new valve stem seals while I was there.

[Paul_E_D]

Or, what Degsy said!

[butcher bergs]

That carbon build up is about average for a non-race engine. Yeah, there is a bit of carbon but, as I stated in my PM, nothing catastrophic IMO. No chunks or anything of that nature going on.

I've given you the parts list I recommend with regards to refreshing the top end. As far as cleaning up the carbon, I've used Roloc discs, made by 3M. Bar none, the single best way to clear carbon from combustion chamber surfaces without damaging anything that might otherwise be damaged due to heavy cleaning. For the really heavy stuff, a spray of brake cleaner.

Again, as stated in my PM, a blown head gasket and subsequent "overheating" issue might in fact be nothing more than a steam pocket so keep that in mind as it's anyone's guess why the temp gauge was reading in the red. Steam is hotter than liquid and unless you lost nearly all the coolant, I have my doubts as far as the head being warped.

[Degsy]

Doesnt look quite so bad now I'm not looking at the pics on a cellphone. Are the cylinders mirror polished. I might be seeing reflection on them making them look worse than they are.

[solgirl]

Are the cylinders mirror polished?

NO. It must be the pics I took.

[korndogg]

looks like there's oil coming through the valves. I'd have the head checked out for sure. Maybe bring the block in to check for flatness while you're at it.