How Hot Do 440 Invaders Run?

[quadgoat]

I haven't had the topend of this engine apart yet. Do the Invaders use just a one piece gasket and the 4/6's use a rubber gasket/fire ring setup as you mention? Is there anything that needs to be done to the jug or head to use the 4/6 gasket setup, or is it "plug'n'play"?


-Paul

[gixxer6]

They are plug-n-play, no modification needed.  Just make sure all the old gasket and sealer has been removed and that both surfaces are clean.  No messy sealant required. 

The 4/6 are a two piece design, a flat rubber piece that goes around all of the coolant passages, and a copper fire ring.  The NOS Invader gaskets are a one piece similar to the Winderosa/Cometic/Kimpex.  The Deere Liquifire used a two piece gasket, a fire ring similar to the 4/6 but the coolant seal was made of regular reinforced gasket material.  It was coated with a white rubbery sealant. 

Second to the 4/6 setup, I had the best luck with the Deere gaskets.  I peeled the white coating off and used Dow sealant (I don't recall the number).  It went around a hundred miles or so before leaking. 

[quadgoat]

Is this: http://www.ebay.com/itm/VINTAGE-KAWASAKI-INVADER-LTD-4-6-CYLINDER-HEAD-GASKET-/390276361163?pt=Snowmobile_Parts_Accessories&hash=item5ade48abcb&vxp=mtr The gasket I need?

Obviously I need two of them. Then I need two fire rings too, correct?

-Paul

[gixxer6]

Those are the ones!  You will need 1 rubber and 1 fire ring per cylinder.

[quadgoat]

Well, they're cheap enough I think I'll grab them so I have them. If I don't end up needing them right now, I probably will need them at some point LOL!

-Paul

[quadgoat]

All right, got those. Now to find some fire rings! I asked the seller if he had any, but I didn't see any listed on eBay doing a quick search...

-Paul

[quadgoat]

Sorry for all the posts, but would the rings in a kit like this one work? http://www.ebay.com/itm/NOS-LLP-Engine-Gasket-Set-09-1298-John-Deere-Snowmobile-Liquifire-440-NC2512-/360554124246?pt=Snowmobile_Parts_Accessories&hash=item53f2b353d6&vxp=mtr

Just trying to get an idea what my options may be. Thanks, as always, for the help!!

-Paul

[gixxer6]

The Liquifire fire rings are not as wide as the 4/6's.  They would probably work, but you'd need to make sure that they are centered on the bore before installing the head. 

I thought I had some extra good used 4/6 fire rings but the ones I was thinking of are Liquifire.  You are welcome to them if you want to give them a try. 

[quadgoat]

Good info, thanks! I appreciate your offer, and will probably take you up on it if I can't track down any 4/6 ones. I asked the guy I'm getting the rubber gaskets from and he doesn't have any fire rings currently. I'll have to do some internet scouring and see what I can come up with!

-Paul

[kawhead]

an invader at 15-20 mph will slowly get warm....normal....the longer heat exchangers do help.the radiator has little effect after 20 mph,thats why when you run 15-25 mph it gets warm,rad is to small, not enuf snow on tunnel coolers.....

[quadgoat]

Interesting Kawhead....That does seem to jibe with what I'm experiencing. I plan on trying to get it out on the trail, and at higher speed, before I do anything else to it. I'm still going to have a set of the 4/6 head gaskets on hand though, just in case

-Paul