Head Gasket install

[excobraguy]

So I've searched, I've read and I've searched some more about head gaskets and how to install them...geesh, I thought I knew how before I read stuff on here! :smile: Anyway, I'm looking for some very basic helpful hints to get me going again......her are my questions:

1) My block is bored .040 over stock, will I require a different size head gasket other than stock? Cotton's website shows different sizes for the Cometic head gaskets:
3.86 .040
3.86 .060
4.02 .040
4.02 .060
4.06 .040
4.06 .060
4.09 .040
Is this bore size and gasket thickness????? What would my bore be if it is .040 over stock????


2) The motor has 4k miles on it, it has ARP bolts for the heads. Can they be reused or is it safest to replace them with new ones?

3) I want to use Cometic head gaskets over the Felpro ones. I've heard that they leak though, what has been your experience if you have used them? Will they still blow before damage to the engine is done?

4) Same question as #3 except for the RJC ones.

5) What is the best torquing practices to use to properly install and have long lasting head gaskets?

6) My car will have the Alkycontrol kit installed after I get the heads put back on, are there things to consider now before I put the heads back on in preparation for the Alkycontrol?

7) What bolt preparation is there to take for reinstalling used bolts? What sealant, if any, is to be used on the bolts?

That's all I can think of right now, let me know if you have any input and thanks in advance guys! :wink:

 

[83ttypecooled]

Hi,
I gather that you are tending towards using Cometic gaskets. I also hear that they leak coolant. I guess the combustion chambers are well sealed, and I wonder if a little Permatex spray wouldn't help the coolant leaks. Cometic says NO, but for street use, what do they know? Regarding reuse of ARP bolts, I say go for it, and they say no. What is your intention with this vehicle?If you are driving on the street, see an occasional 20- 25 psi blast, cool. If, however, you intend a total race regime,throw the bolts in the metal barrel, and pony up for the best stuff ARP sells.
By the way, Honda is notorious for NA leaks from about 99 down.I had an 88 Civic in a while back with a blown head gasket, and I noted Honda's tsb regarding "redesigned" head gaskets and replacement bolts. I bought their parts, and lo and behold, it was Cometic stuff! I had the head cleaned up, but the block deck was badly warped, like 0.010. Yeow! Anyway, as it was a junker, I took a chance, and bolted it all together.I figured the laminated stainless steel mo fo would cover for me, and to date, a year later, under extreem duress, because this lady runs the s**t out of the vehicle,it has complied, with no coolant use, by the way.I put the gasket on straight, no sealer.I don't know why I had such success with this car, when I hear reports of Buick V6 motors leaking. Maybe Cometics like aluminum, or something.... Hey, I can't remember all your questions, but I gave feedback on a few,anyway. Good luck with the rebuild.

 

[excobraguy]

Ttt

 

[graza002]

Sorry, I was going to respond to you sooner but I got side tracked.

Ok so here is what I gathered when I had HG problems. My first set of HG's on my rebuild were stock. Those went due to knock, and my bearings went as well. Everything was replaced, and I replaced my HG's with the RJC racing. The RJC's I used were the .045'' which are thicker than the .025'' they offer now. Due to the fact that I was using the thicker HG's and iron heads, the HG;s would not compress, causing my coolant to leak. I am not talking down about RJC's product; this particular product did not work for me. I chased this problem for quite sometime, and finally I narrowed the problem to the HG's. When I pulled everything apart, I replaced the HG's with stock, and have had no problems. I run 25 lbs of boost with no KR on pump gas and alky. I thought about running the Cometic gaskets, but again, some people had good luck and others pulled them off. I just opted out and went with factory. They work fine.

Hope this helps.

 

[excobraguy]

Sorry, I was going to respond to you sooner but I got side tracked.

Ok so here is what I gathered when I had HG problems. My first set of HG's on my rebuild were stock. Those went due to knock, and my bearings went as well. Everything was replaced, and I replaced my HG's with the RJC racing. The RJC's I used were the .045'' which are thicker than the .025'' they offer now. Due to the fact that I was using the thicker HG's and iron heads, the HG;s would not compress, causing my coolant to leak. I am not talking down about RJC's product; this particular product did not work for me. I chased this problem for quite sometime, and finally I narrowed the problem to the HG's. When I pulled everything apart, I replaced the HG's with stock, and have had no problems. I run 25 lbs of boost with no KR on pump gas and alky. I thought about running the Cometic gaskets, but again, some people had good luck and others pulled them off. I just opted out and went with factory. They work fine.

Hope this helps.

Hey, thanks for the info. Do you know about whether or not the diameter size of a head gasket comes into play? I'm assuming since my block is bored .040 over that I need a larger diameter head gasket???? If not, cool....I just want to make sure. Thanks.!

 

[graza002]

Hey, thanks for the info. Do you know about whether or not the diameter size of a head gasket comes into play? I'm assuming since my block is bored .040 over that I need a larger diameter head gasket???? If not, cool....I just want to make sure. Thanks.!

To be honest with you I really dont know. My block is .030 over, and it takes the stocker. I am sure you can read in to it more from Turbo Regal Web Site or you can click on the link below on my sig, and talk to Lou. Tell him I sent you, he is a good guy.