RD400 Leakdown Results of rebuilt motor & Cool Replacement Parts

[gardenhosebusabottle]

So,
It has been awhile since I've worked on the 400 and Judy has been waiting 2? years.  The motor was rebuilt locally (never fired and sitting put together "whole" by builder) and I decided to FINALLY put a little time into the leakdown to see where I'm at.

I found that the left side crank seal was leaking (probably decades old OEM and dried out) and the one left side crank bearing I like to seat w/ a 035 N70 Buna-N Nitrile O-ring (didn't have an o-ring and i didn't want to leave it o-ring"less", instead of red RTV to hold it in place...It has been tested and proven to work w/ RB Designs years ago w/ Nachi bearings. 

I've also got (2) one piece gaskets that I purchased years ago from Vintage Specialties.  They are .36mm or .0014 inches.  I believe they are for the RD and not the TZ.  I found Lyn's old post concerning center between cylinders and decided to use these on Judy's RD400. 

Measurements (digital caliper):  Head gasket = .0013"  Base Gasket= .0014"  Heads "step"= .001"  For comparison, the stock base gasket = .0025".   It looks like the heads were milled long ago, and the stock shape was left alone, but what do I know.  What do you think? Pistons are new Vertex Banshee 64.94mm.


The heads don't look like there's much squish and the local guy must have blasted them.  I'm using stock head gaskets.  I had to scrape the old gaskets off and it seems he used some black sticky stuff to put them in place.  Anyone know what that is or can i just install the base gaskets bare.?  I have the beautiful blue UK hylomar, but don't know if that would be appropriate.

Once i put it back together, I'll do another pressure test w/ my home pressure tester and see what's up.

Oh, one other thing.  I don't have to anneal the stock head gaskets if the motor hasn't been fired up, do I?  Just reinstall and torque to Chuck Quenzler spec?

Meanwhile, here are a few pics (hope they show up):







PS:  if you are wondering what that nasty stuff is on the o-ring?...they came w/ a Zot! candy that had melted or leaked? onto the wrapper.  Haven't touched these in years...just found the bag in a bunch of RD stuff.