Valve Cover Gasket Question

I've got a Radius E with the 708 Loncin 136-7817 engine. It's got 100 hours on it and I want to check valve lash.

I'd rather not pay for two new gaskets before knowing if I need them. Do these usually come of cleanly? What's a good (and cheaper) alternative to the OE gaskets?

Also, from my research, it's intake .004 - .006 & exhaust .006 - .008. Sound correct?

Thanks!

Your guess will be as good as mine and I’ve done many of these. Sometimes they come off clean and other times they’re a mess. 50/50 chance. If it was me I wouldn’t touch it unless I had a better reason than “I want to check “. The choice is yours. Here’s a service manual if you decide to open it up. https://www.toro.com/getpub/117255

you won't know if you can re-use the gaskets until they are off. Sometimes they are pliable and come off cleanly. Sometimes they are hard or they tear. Buy a set before you begin or plan on waiting for them before you can put the covers back on. Then if you can re-use them you will be pleasantly surprised. It isn't like they cost a lot. A six pack is $12.99 on Amazon or a 3 pack $9.99.

Rivets said:

Your guess will be as good as mine and I’ve done many of these. Sometimes they come off clean and other times they’re a mess. 50/50 chance. If it was me I wouldn’t touch it unless I had a better reason than “I want to check “. The choice is yours. Here’s a service manual if you decide to open it up. https://www.toro.com/getpub/117255

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Thanks Rivets.

Maybe it's just the Chinese engine, but it's always sounded a bit clackity and I get a backfire once in a while when starting or shutting down. Plus, I thought it was a recommended procedure.

Don’t buy before you remove the covers. Call the local dealers or repair shops to see if they have them before starting. That way you’ll know if they are around before starting.

100 hours doesn't seem like a lot of hours to need new gaskets? Have you compression tested it?

Loncin LC2P77F

Exmark/Toro 127-9295 [ Loncin 1202550023-T390]

Now these are available on Amazon and to get free shipping you need to add something else to get to $35 free ship level.

GasSniffer said:

100 hours doesn't seem like a lot of hours to need new gaskets? Have you compression tested it?

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Not if you are removing the rocker covers as paper gaskets do stick. Compression has very little to do with rocker covers.

I had to go in to check the valves or else not knowing would've eaten a hole in my brain.

Both gaskets tore and I've ordered new ones.

Both valves on one side were definitely tight. I'd say .002 to .003. The other side was pretty close to good.

What I found weird was that when I had them positioned and then tightened the set screw, the gap would get tight. The adjuster nut did not move. I had to set them loose, tighten the locker and check again. I had to do this many times before things seemed right. Again, the big nut didn't move, but something about the lock nut would tighten gap.

I haven't adjusted many valves, but never had that problem.

I'll let you all know if the thing blowed up!

Anyway, thanks for the input.