Thread: 300 tdi head gasket

Composite is more forgiving than steel shim gaskets , if you fitted a new head to a machined block then maybe use the steel - even then you'd want to measure it up first.

Originally Posted by Blknight.aus

No need to vote....

No use nothing with the composite gaskets. BUT make damn sure that the head and deck are perfectly clean. If you don't have brain surgeons queing up to use your engine bay as an operating theater its not clean enough.

Steel gaskets get a version of copper coat.

It took me 4 hours to get SWMBO's block to the required standard.

since when is it proper practice to put anything on a metal shim head gasket?

Just an update, I have finally bought a new AMC 300TDi head, the old warped (7 thou between 2 &3 cylinders) is still kicking on and so is the laminated metal (3 ply) gasket, which all on here said can't be used on anything but flat/true surfaces.
All of the sellers/manufactures of this 300TDi head which has better water jackets over the original, insist that a Laminated metal head gasket be used at installation. Some even state that no warranty if this type of gasket is not used. I installed mine some years back and have not had a problem since and the fact that I blew 3 Elring compisite gaskets in quick sucession, then fitted the laminated metal gasket, with no more problems speaks volumes on the suitability, my opinion anyway, Regards Frank.

I understand your POV Frank in relation to your earlier experiences albeit with the warped head. I knew no better than the advice given so I went with the AMC head & Elring composite and so far so good.

Please note blknite's advice on cleaning the deck, & there is another recently revived thread on head bolts (which you started years ago) in which ric130 gives recent relevant info on bolt thread lubrication for angle torquing.

It's not as though I have had extensive 300tdi experience but I feel that if you check your block deck for straight you should be ok with the composite but it will be interesting to read what others add to this thread.

87, the block deck was perfect, the head when originally taken off had a 7 thou. valley in the middle, machined the head and fitted new Elring compo. gasket and blew it in a few weeks, pulled the head again, newly machined head was warped again in the same spot as before, so I didn't re-machine the head this time, replaced with another Elring gasket and it blew several weeks later, in exactly the same spot.
So no luck with compo gaskets, laminated gasket under exact same conditions as compo gaskets has lasted for a number of years now. The new head which arrived today is by AMC and they supply a Laminated gasket and the warranty is void if the new head is installed without one.
My old head has cracks across the valve seats and between and also from the glow plug holes, along with the valley of 7 thou. across cyls. 2 to 3, so I'll be pulling it this week and fitting new head and Lam. gasket, we'll see how she goes, Regards Frank.

Originally Posted by uninformed

since when is it proper practice to put anything on a metal shim head gasket?

would anyone care to answer this???

Originally Posted by Tank

87, the block deck was perfect, the head when originally taken off had a 7 thou. valley in the middle, machined the head and fitted new Elring compo. gasket and blew it in a few weeks, pulled the head again, newly machined head was warped again in the same spot as before, so I didn't re-machine the head this time, replaced with another Elring gasket and it blew several weeks later, in exactly the same spot.
So no luck with compo gaskets, laminated gasket under exact same conditions as compo gaskets has lasted for a number of years now. The new head which arrived today is by AMC and they supply a Laminated gasket and the warranty is void if the new head is installed without one.
My old head has cracks across the valve seats and between and also from the glow plug holes, along with the valley of 7 thou. across cyls. 2 to 3, so I'll be pulling it this week and fitting new head and Lam. gasket, we'll see how she goes, Regards Frank.

Hi again - yes I did read about your earlier troubles with the gaskets with interest.

You write that you were supplied with a laminated gasket - just out of interest is it branded and do you know what the laminations are(eg. steel/copper) ? The AMC head I received was from Turners and they only supply the Elring composite gasket, which I fitted dry & clean in accordance with blkknight's advice.

I'm also wondering if you will you install the laminated gasket dry or will you coat it ? (noting post #10 above)

87, sorry for the delay, been up in Canberra for my first look at my brand new Grandson.
The gasket supplied with the AMC head is Victor Reinz Germany, the other laminated gasket, which I bought for my Son's disco is a Genuine Land Rover part #LUB 500220.
The outer plates seem to be steel, the inner lokks like aluminium.
I never put anything on the gaskets (metal or comp.) or the block/head surface and wouldn't do so unless it was recommended by the engine manufacturer, back when I was playing around with Ford flathead V8's I used to use light grease with copper/asbestos gaskets, but never since and that was 50 years ago, Regards Frank.