Any special tools needed to change head gasket?

Just wondering since I'm about to change mine. It's leaking a bit, and that won't do.
Ordered a set of whitworth spanners, up to 9/16th. I think I remember reading about needing one special "shaved down" one for the center head bolt nut.

And what would you recommend: Copper or the stock type head gasket?
Thanks!


-PS where to buy new pushrods?
Thanks again[/img]

nidyanazo said:

Ordered a set of whitworth spanners, up to 9/16th.

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You will probably need a slim 1/4" Whitworth socket and extension bar? A standard 1/4"W socket from a 3/8" square drive kit is probably slim enough, but a standard 1/2" square drive socket may not be?

nidyanazo said:

I think I remember reading about needing one special "shaved down" one for the center head bolt nut.

Click to expand...

It's needed for the 1/4"W (actually 26 tpi Cycle thread) rear head nut (below the carb intakes and #2 in the head tightening sequence) .

nidyanazo said:

And what would you recommend: Copper or the stock type head gasket?

Click to expand...

I've always used the standard composite head gasket.

I bought a set of Acesa combination wrenchs made in Spain from the auction place. I was happy with the price and quality and I was able to get to the rear nut on the head and all the other ones no problem - no shaving needed.

I use the composition head gasket with the flame rings and the Permatex copper spray-a-coat sealer to get a very thin layer. This is on a 750.

I use a 13mm box spanner for the centre head bolt. It's a good quality one that can take a 16mm socket on the top end so I can use a torque wrench on it.