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If it’s pushing coolant it’s more than likely a HG. I don’t think it’s a compression issue. I know I’ve mentioned this numerous times, but I’m at 13.4:1, and I run 91 octane. And I’ve been to some very tight, technical, rocky trails in Missouri and northern Minnesota, and I’ve been to the dunes on the west coast on hot summer days many times and I’ve never had a problem, granted, sometimes I sneak some race gas in the 501 just because I had it on hand for my 542.
I remember one of my 501s I built I was pushing coolant on one of the first rides after the build. I finished the ride, pulled the head, and I could see where it was leaking. I cleaned it up, threw a new gasket on it and ran it for a few years without another single HG issue.
I would say stick with the setup you have, make sure you clean up the surfaces really well, use a new gasket, and torque it in several steps to 40 or just a touch over.
I personally have never seen the need for a different rad. I’ve ran my 542 with 14.2:1 in the dunes on some crazy hot days, riding for hours straight and I’ve never seen my light come on, and that’s with a stock rad, hoses, and impeller, and I’m just running Honda HP coolant.
I remember one of my 501s I built I was pushing coolant on one of the first rides after the build. I finished the ride, pulled the head, and I could see where it was leaking. I cleaned it up, threw a new gasket on it and ran it for a few years without another single HG issue.
I would say stick with the setup you have, make sure you clean up the surfaces really well, use a new gasket, and torque it in several steps to 40 or just a touch over.
I personally have never seen the need for a different rad. I’ve ran my 542 with 14.2:1 in the dunes on some crazy hot days, riding for hours straight and I’ve never seen my light come on, and that’s with a stock rad, hoses, and impeller, and I’m just running Honda HP coolant.