DirtDaddy wrote:Can someone tell me if there is supposed to be a gasket between the reed block and the intake manifold? There wasn't one there when I took it off and just wondering if there is supposed to be one. It looks like there is an o-ring of sorts manufactured into the manifold. If no gasket is required (presumably due to the material the manifold is made of) is some kind of sealant recommended? Thanks!
I realize this answer comes 3 1/2 years too late.
I am reassembling my 2001 KDX220 and found my reed valve assembly had TWO gaskets.
One between the cylinder & reed block assembly and one between the reed block assembly and the intake manifold.
It was apparently assembled this way at the factory.
(I looked this tread up because my top end gasket kit only contained one reed block gasket, not two.)
So, like the air box assembly, there are apparently variations in how the factory assembled the reed assembly also.
The Kawasaki parts diagram for the 2001 KDX220 does NOT show the second gasket between the reed assembly and intake manifold.
However if you wanted to add a gasket there, you can just buy the same one used between the cylinder and the reed assembly.
To add intrigue to the mystery, the intake manifold has a .040" tall built in rubber "o-ring" ridge just outside the intake tract diameter.
(This ridge is there to make an air seal between the intake manifold and the reed assembly.)
And the gasket measures .040" thick also. So perhaps the two can work together to seal the assembly.
However the intake manifold has a second built in rubber "o-ring" ridge (although not nearly as high) that contacts the reed assembly toward the outside of the reed block.
So with these two built in "o-ring" ridges you probably do not need a gasket unless the built in rubber "o-ring" ridges are defective.
