Sealant for rocker box to head?

zoom45 · 01-22-2013, 01:52 PM

If you had your rocker box off the head, what sealant did you use when you put it back on? It's a machined surface so figured it should be something like loctite 518 anaerobic gasket maker. The manual says to use a Kawasaki p/n but surely there is something local out there. Because of the tight tolerance I wouldn't think you would use a Permatex high temp silicone but it may be ok for it. When I took it apart there was hardly any sign of a sealant on it. It was very thin whatever the factory used.
Zoom45

**MAS Tequila** · 01-22-2013, 02:43 PM

I used black RTV, never had a leak yet.

MT

**ringadingh** · 01-22-2013, 04:31 PM

Silocone seal is good for that.

**tomm** · 01-22-2013, 08:37 PM

I used the Kawasaki sealant on Mac's recommendation. It is very thin, I'm guessing because of the tight tolerance, and is applied using a small brush.

chuckster131 · 01-23-2013, 05:59 AM

I always use the Permatex Ultra Black silicon and have done 3 engines with no leaks at all, I use it on the cam plugs as well.

degreaser · 01-23-2013, 01:35 PM

Bobby, what make of driver's backrest do you have on your Nomad?

zoom45 · 01-23-2013, 04:16 PM

When it's solo it's a Grasshopper and when two up it's a factory Fire & Steel

Zoom45

degreaser · 01-23-2013, 04:34 PM

thanks, I found the Grasshopper site, I'm looking at their one for solo (with no passenger seat), where does the solo one attach?

zoom45 · 01-23-2013, 04:51 PM

It uses the bolt that holds the rear seat on. Just take the front seat off to get to it and use the rear seat front bolt to hold the bracket for the Grasshoppper backrest. It only takes a couple of minutes to change it out.
Zoom45

degreaser · 01-23-2013, 05:15 PM

thanks, I think that will work because I'm planning on removing the fire & steel driver's backrest, the passenger seat, sissy pad & luggage rack, and installing a solo rack. The grasshopper backrest should work on my 04 1500 classic.

01-22-2013, 01:52 PM	#1
zoom45 Sr. Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Terry, Mississippi Posts: 1,434	Sealant for rocker box to head? If you had your rocker box off the head, what sealant did you use when you put it back on? It's a machined surface so figured it should be something like loctite 518 anaerobic gasket maker. The manual says to use a Kawasaki p/n but surely there is something local out there. Because of the tight tolerance I wouldn't think you would use a Permatex high temp silicone but it may be ok for it. When I took it apart there was hardly any sign of a sealant on it. It was very thin whatever the factory used. Zoom45 __________________ Bobby Risher Terry, MS Kawanow member # 124 South Central Group 2000 Nomad 1500 (carbed) 128,000 miles Login or Register to Remove Ads
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01-22-2013, 02:43 PM	#2
MAS Tequila Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Psychiatric Ward FL Posts: 3,429	I used black RTV, never had a leak yet. MT __________________ MT 2016 FLHP Psychiatric Ward FL VBA 936
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01-22-2013, 04:31 PM	#3
ringadingh Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Newmarket Ontario Canada Posts: 35,387	Silocone seal is good for that. __________________ 2002 Nomad aka Bountyhunter VBA #27 VROC #18951
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01-22-2013, 08:37 PM	#4
tomm Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Lee, New Hampshire Posts: 568	I used the Kawasaki sealant on Mac's recommendation. It is very thin, I'm guessing because of the tight tolerance, and is applied using a small brush. __________________ Tom Maziarz (tomm) VBA #00766 2008 Kawasaki Nomad (Black) 1978 Suzuki GS750EC (My son is riding it now.) 2017: National Rally - Lake George, NY 2016: NE US / E Canada Rally - Mont Tremblant, QC 2015: National Rally - Eureka Springs, AR 2014: NE US / E Canada Rally - Lincoln, NH 2012: NE US / E Canada Rally - Wellsboro, PA
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01-23-2013, 05:59 AM	#5
chuckster131 Sr. Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Jackson, Michigan Posts: 1,367	I always use the Permatex Ultra Black silicon and have done 3 engines with no leaks at all, I use it on the cam plugs as well. __________________ Joe (Chuckster) Norris Jackson, Michigan 2007 Goldwing 2010 Voyager (Blue/Silver)sold 2001 Nomad (gone, but not forgotten) www.chucksterscustoms.com Login or Register to Remove Ads
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01-23-2013, 01:35 PM	#6
degreaser Advanced Member Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Canada Posts: 614	Bobby, what make of driver's backrest do you have on your Nomad? __________________ 04 1500 sold, got an 800 now Atlantic Canada
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01-23-2013, 04:16 PM	#7
zoom45 Sr. Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Terry, Mississippi Posts: 1,434	When it's solo it's a Grasshopper and when two up it's a factory Fire & Steel Zoom45 __________________ Bobby Risher Terry, MS Kawanow member # 124 South Central Group 2000 Nomad 1500 (carbed) 128,000 miles
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01-23-2013, 04:34 PM	#8
degreaser Advanced Member Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Canada Posts: 614	thanks, I found the Grasshopper site, I'm looking at their one for solo (with no passenger seat), where does the solo one attach? __________________ 04 1500 sold, got an 800 now Atlantic Canada
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01-23-2013, 04:51 PM	#9
zoom45 Sr. Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Terry, Mississippi Posts: 1,434	It uses the bolt that holds the rear seat on. Just take the front seat off to get to it and use the rear seat front bolt to hold the bracket for the Grasshoppper backrest. It only takes a couple of minutes to change it out. Zoom45 __________________ Bobby Risher Terry, MS Kawanow member # 124 South Central Group 2000 Nomad 1500 (carbed) 128,000 miles
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01-23-2013, 05:15 PM	#10
degreaser Advanced Member Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Canada Posts: 614	thanks, I think that will work because I'm planning on removing the fire & steel driver's backrest, the passenger seat, sissy pad & luggage rack, and installing a solo rack. The grasshopper backrest should work on my 04 1500 classic. __________________ 04 1500 sold, got an 800 now Atlantic Canada
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