Thread: Head gasket replacement

Originally Posted by steveG

Looks like I might be up for a head gasket replacement on the county as its generating air in the cooling system along with some slight pressurisation. Still runs fine and not losing any significant coolant.

Any hints/tips from those that have done one?

Probably won't get to it for another few weeks, so I'm planning to give the turbo and manifold bolts a good dose of penetrant to make things easier.
Being an early 1981 Stage1 engine that's likely never had a birthday, I'm also thinking about getting a quick check done on the injectors while they're out, but other than that will just check that the head is straight and the valves/seats look OK (possibly give them a quick lap), replace the stem seals and any gaskets and put it back together.

I assume genuine head gaskets are they way to go, and from memory its the same gasket for NA/turbo?

Steve

Just did the same thing on my 6x6 Steve. Had the same symptom - pressurising the coolant. The gasket is the same whether NA or Turbo motors. I found my head was slightly warped up in the middle due to the head bolts not tightened down correctly. If you have to get the head skimmed you will need to reset the valve clearances. Just a small shave (0.2mm in my case) equated to quite a bit of adjustment of the valve train. Good idea to get the injectors done while it's apart.6x6 centre console 144.jpg6x6 centre console 143.jpg

Thanks Brian.
Is there a VRS gasket kit available, or did you just order individual gaskets/seals?

Looking at the engine manual it shows an alternate torque for "used" bolts, so I assume its OK to reuse them?

Steve

Originally Posted by steveG

Thanks Brian.
Is there a VRS gasket kit available, or did you just order individual gaskets/seals?

Looking at the engine manual it shows an alternate torque for "used" bolts, so I assume its OK to reuse them?

Steve

I robbed the head gasket from a genuine gasket kit I purchased some years ago Steve. I seem to remember the torque figures for the T motor was 50ft/lb then 60ft/lb then an extra 30 degrees. I went to 60 degrees with the used bolts. Can't see why you wouldn't reuse them.

It has been suggest to me from a few people to put in 2 head gaskets on a N/A motor with a turbo fitted.
The thought being that it will lower the compression ratio and run better and safer with a higher boost. (esp a old stage 1)
any thoughts on that?
I know the turbo motor runs a lower comp ratio.
I'm not going pull the head off just to do it, but if I need to in the future, will it be a benefit?

Pistons are the same AFAIK between NA and turbo motors. Head is flat, so not sure how the turbo motor can be lower compression.
The 2 gasket thing sounds like a workaround for other NA engines that are higher compression.

Steve