patsmx5

iTrader: (16)

I'm not an engine builder. I built a few motors when I was in machine shop back in high school, but none since. (don't have 300k worth of tools at my disposal anymore...) Again, I'm no expert by any means. It takes a lot of know how and real world experience to be a competent engine builder. With race engines and other performance-oriented engines, it takes much more. Details are what separate the good from the best. The things above I mentioned aren't even details.


You shouldn't have to retorque a head gasket 3 times before starting a motor. It's common to retorque a composite gasket though after 500 miles on a cold engine. Also a good idea to retorque any head gasket after overheating an engine, especially 2-strokes.

NA6C-Guy

iTrader: (1)

I think maybe in my case it was the actual studs turning. I installed just as told by ARP and FM, hand tightened into the block till they bottomed out, then torqued the nuts in 3 or 4 steps to 65lb/ft. THe 2 times I re-torqued them, I got maybe a 1/64 of a turn, if not 1/128 of a turn on each of them, so probably not even 1 or 2lb/ft. Just minor slippage, which could have also been a difference in any number of things, temperature, or my wrench. Only felt it as a pop, I guess either the nut slipping and regripping the head, or the studs popping in their bores. Everything was well lubed, so Im not sure how that happened.

patsmx5

iTrader: (16)

Just to say this, don't run the motor. If it gets enough of a puddle in that cylinder and you try to crank it, it will hydrolock and something will give; likely a rod. Check things over very carefully when the head is off to make sure all the pistons are coming up to the same height. If the #2 rod bent any, that pistons won't come up as high as the others. Just put the motor at TDC and check a pair of pistons for height against the deck with a rule (or a dial indicator with a magnetic base, but you probably don't have one), and then TDC for the other pair and compare. They should all be the same of course.

levnubhin

iTrader: (30)

Head gasket is trashed. Everything else LOOKS kosher.
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cardriverx

iTrader: (12)

damn! I do need to run some water through the engine, it cleans it real good!

Braineack

iTrader: (62)

yeah dude, that thing looks just like mine did. I'm blaming uneven and/or not enough torque to the studs.

patsmx5

iTrader: (16)

Looks Is. You better figure out what failed, why it failed, and correct the problem or else you'll be doing this again. That gasket didn't fail for nothing.

levnubhin

iTrader: (30)

Yeah I know, thats why I put looks in bold. Once I get it back together I'll do a leakdown test.
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patsmx5

iTrader: (16)

How did it check out before you pulled the head? Or did you not do a leakdown test? I'm laughing.

hustler

iTrader: (6)

Is there anything that's not caused by detonation in your book?

patsmx5

iTrader: (16)

Yes. I highly doubt this head gasket blew from detonation. It would have blown between two cylinders if it hat detonated. I guess after he gets the head back on and does a leakdown test he'll know where to start to fix it once he pulls the head again.

levnubhin

iTrader: (30)

No I didn't. The cylinder was filled with water. Even you said do not run the car. The gasket was blown. Doing a leak down test would have shown a massive leak in that cylinder, how would I've known if something else was bag with that huge leak there?



I'm glad your enjoying this.
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patsmx5

iTrader: (16)

You don't have to run the engine to do a leakdown test. Doing a leakdown test would have told you where all it's leaking. It it had any leakage past the rings, or intake valves, or exhaust valves, or a crack in the combustion chamber, the leakdown test would have identified that down to which cylinder. Anyways, care to share what you think the problem is? IE-why the gasket blew?

levnubhin

iTrader: (30)

Well, I rechecked the torque on all the bolts and noticed that several of them weren't at 60ft lbs. Specifically the ones around the #2 cylinder. Now I dont know if it was because I didn't recheck them at 500 miles or if it was put together that way. Im not pointing fingers. I also can't ignore the fact that this was an ebay head gasket and you get what you pay for. I did put 1000 trouble free miles on the car with half of them being at 12.5 psi. I also had temperature issues when I first put the car back together so who knows if that didn't weaken the gasket.
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patsmx5

iTrader: (16)

If it boiled over-overheated, then it could be a HG failure that's coolant temp related. Else, I would say that overheating is not directly related. Several things could cause the bolts to not be tight. Make sure you do everything to ensure you fix the problem there. I HIGHLY suggest you put a MLS head gasket on it. Can not emphasize this enough. It's like 100 bucks from FM. Best $100 you'll ever spend. And get new head bolts for good measure.

levnubhin

iTrader: (30)

Also picked up ARP hardware today.
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NA6C-Guy

iTrader: (1)

That should do it. You going to check, or have the head and block surfaces checked? Dont be like me

TonyV

iTrader: (17)

Your my boy so I wont throw salt in the wound,




^that sums it up tho.


Get er back on the road asap, def at least make sure the surfaces are straight.

Ps--you're supposed to be blowing diffs not HG's

mrtonyg

iTrader: (1)

Getting fancy, expensive parts and components isn't going to get you past the basics.

1: Make sure the head and block are nice and flat. Max distortion should not be greater than .0008". Preferably no more than .0002".

2: Run a tap through the threads on the block. Afterward clean the block threads with compressed air. Lubricate the bolt threads with light oil.

3: Clean the head and block mating surfaces spotless. Remove all traces of the old gasket. Use a fast evaporating cleaner (get the highly flammable type) and a lint free rag on the mating surfaces.

4: Tighten the head working in circles from the inside out a bit at a time. Finally torque to final specs. Make sure while final torquing that none of the bolts/studs go limp on you. If they do, you need to replace the culprits.


Get these right and you will not have any blown head gaskets.



Tony

patsmx5

iTrader: (16)

He knows.