Valve cover and top end gaskets?

[eliasxr400]

I just took the stage 1 hotcam out of my XR400 to put into my 400ex. Im returning the XR back to stock to sell. When I put the cam in the XR it leaked oil from the cover right around the spark plug. They are metal gaskets and I think you can only use them once, but not possitive.

Should I get a new valve cover gasket or re-use the stock one?

If I do re-use the stock one, should I put anything on it to keep the oil in?

If I should buy new, where can I order an after market one? I don't think a top end kit comes with one. I found OEM ones but they are like $40 and I need 2.

Im also installing a 11.1 piston in the EX. What top end kit should I use?

Also, will these mods help for power until I get a 440 kit?:D

[GPracer2500]

They can be reused. I clean them off with steel wool and apply a VERY THIN layer of ThreeBond 1211 to both sides. I basically put some on and wipe it off with my finger. You can barely even see that any is remaining--but it is.

[eliasxr400]

Thanks GPracer. I will try that. It will save me around $80 in Gaskets.

[eliasxr400]

Originally posted by GPracer2500
They can be reused. I clean them off with steel wool and apply a VERY THIN layer of ThreeBond 1211 to both sides. I basically put some on and wipe it off with my finger. You can barely even see that any is remaining--but it is.
Did what you said and it seems to work great. I could not find the 1211 so I used 1104. I rode it for a few hours and no leaks.
Thanks.