Blown Head Gasket repair w/pics

IHateHacks · 01-04-2007, 06:27 PM

The picture really doesnt do it justice. It is really smooth, and looks like a f-in mirror. But I'm gonna play it safe and use a dealer head gasket. Please forgive my inexperience but what is a lapping tool? I used a whiz wheel with very fine grit Scotch 3M on the block, which made it look all swirlly, like it polished the metal. I really never knew cast iron could look like that. But what do I know this is my first head gasket job ever.

Im not liking the idea of it blowing again after 10,000 miles so stock it is.

Still haven't gotten the head back yet. I'm very anxious to put her back together.

Just for those who want to know I've decided to use ARP studs instead of bolts. Do the cams have to be out to torque the ARP nuts?

ddmcse · 01-05-2007, 01:01 AM

u can see the lapping tool on my website, it's sitting on the block a round disc

IHateHacks · 01-05-2007, 03:01 AM

OK so did you use a metal head gasket on that block that you lapped?

What's all that gray slime that's all in the coolant passages?

I'm beginning to think I used the wrong thing on my block, but a mechanic friend that works at Mauro Motors BMW of North Haven uses the same thing on aluminum blocks and says it's fine. He actually supplied the equipment and did the work to my block.

I'm going to get a close up pic of my block tomarrow morning.

ddmcse · 01-05-2007, 11:50 AM

yeah i have a metal gasket the gray stuff is lapping compound , a paste with grit
i lapped the block for hours and then lapped the head after it was done by a machine. you could see the grooves left by the machine but the grooves were gone after lapping the head . lapping the alu head took seconds compared to the block
i think i have about 30k miles on this gasket

IHateHacks · 01-05-2007, 02:20 PM

Thank you for all the input ddmcse, it's people like you that make this a great forum.

How much is a lapping tool and compound?

Well i've thought about it and I've come all this way, sent out the head (before I thought I was gonna do all the check and servicing to the head myself, yea wrong!) I might as well lap the block. Im stubborn, I dont like to do things but once I start I'm glad I did. I've determined the whiz wheel is to remove stuck on gasket material only, not for resurfacing. The block, with my finger, feels smooth as ice everywhere. Here's some pics.

^ Worst area on the block. ^

^ I'm a crappy photographer. ^

Now for the fun part, head gasket its blown in 2 different places.

^ That's cylinder 6. ^

^ That's cylinder 2 ^

marc · 01-05-2007, 10:04 PM

looks yummy, cant waitto see what mine looks liek when i pull it.

IHateHacks · 01-05-2007, 10:40 PM

Well just got the verdict from the machine shop.

Cleaned, checked for cracks, checked for warpage, planed, valve lash set, new exhaust studs welded in place (I helicoiled 3 previously and 1 more was on its way to be, ditched that!). Complete head gasket set included. $425+tax!!!

Will have pic up tomarrow.

Just have to order my ARP studs, and downpipe!! I'm very excited if you haven't noticed.

Spudboy · 08-24-2007, 04:19 PM

Looks like you sent your head to the machine shop with cams, valves and cam timing belt pulleys still on?

That didn't cause any problems for them or you?

How did they leak and crack test your head?

Quote:

Originally Posted by IHateHacks

The picture really doesnt do it justice. It is really smooth, and looks like a f-in mirror. But I'm gonna play it safe and use a dealer head gasket. Please forgive my inexperience but what is a lapping tool? I used a whiz wheel with very fine grit Scotch 3M on the block, which made it look all swirlly, like it polished the metal. I really never knew cast iron could look like that. But what do I know this is my first head gasket job ever.

Im not liking the idea of it blowing again after 10,000 miles so stock it is.

Still haven't gotten the head back yet. I'm very anxious to put her back together.

Just for those who want to know I've decided to use ARP studs instead of bolts. Do the cams have to be out to torque the ARP nuts?

Spudboy · 08-24-2007, 09:51 PM

What is this (shinny silver) 1st picture? Drivers right, lower front of block.

When I was disconnecting wires this plastic grey cap came off the "What is this" very easy. The wire and it's connector underneath doesn't make sense to me as to how or where it connects.

Bill UK · 08-25-2007, 06:44 PM

Oil pressure sender unit.

01-05-2007, 01:01 AM	#2
ddmcse 500whp yet? Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: CT U.S.A. Posts: 966	u can see the lapping tool on my website, it's sitting on the block a round disc __________________ 300+ RW HP Dyno run, jdm,mod turbo,3"exh,electfan,greddyboost Blown HeadGasket info My Supra KiXGaS

01-05-2007, 11:50 AM	#4
ddmcse 500whp yet? Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: CT U.S.A. Posts: 966	yeah i have a metal gasket the gray stuff is lapping compound , a paste with grit i lapped the block for hours and then lapped the head after it was done by a machine. you could see the grooves left by the machine but the grooves were gone after lapping the head . lapping the alu head took seconds compared to the block i think i have about 30k miles on this gasket __________________ 300+ RW HP Dyno run, jdm,mod turbo,3"exh,electfan,greddyboost Blown HeadGasket info My Supra KiXGaS

01-05-2007, 10:04 PM	#6
marc 12psi boost Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: salem mass Posts: 329	looks yummy, cant waitto see what mine looks liek when i pull it. __________________ nothing but the best -mods- so far K&N intake fipk 3" megan downpipe 3"turbo elbow 4 washers on the wastegate highflow cat short shifter 89+ front bumper, pic soon to come many more upgrades soon

08-24-2007, 09:51 PM	#9
Spudboy 3" Exhaust Join Date: May 2006 Location: So. Cal Mountains Posts: 178	What is this (shinny silver) 1st picture? Drivers right, lower front of block. When I was disconnecting wires this plastic grey cap came off the "What is this" very easy. The wire and it's connector underneath doesn't make sense to me as to how or where it connects. Last edited by Spudboy; 08-24-2007 at 09:55 PM.

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01-04-2007, 06:27 PM	#1
IHateHacks 20psi boost Join Date: May 2006 Location: New Haven/Hamden Posts: 793	The picture really doesnt do it justice. It is really smooth, and looks like a f-in mirror. But I'm gonna play it safe and use a dealer head gasket. Please forgive my inexperience but what is a lapping tool? I used a whiz wheel with very fine grit Scotch 3M on the block, which made it look all swirlly, like it polished the metal. I really never knew cast iron could look like that. But what do I know this is my first head gasket job ever. Im not liking the idea of it blowing again after 10,000 miles so stock it is. Still haven't gotten the head back yet. I'm very anxious to put her back together. Just for those who want to know I've decided to use ARP studs instead of bolts. Do the cams have to be out to torque the ARP nuts?

01-05-2007, 03:01 AM	#3
IHateHacks 20psi boost Join Date: May 2006 Location: New Haven/Hamden Posts: 793	OK so did you use a metal head gasket on that block that you lapped? What's all that gray slime that's all in the coolant passages? I'm beginning to think I used the wrong thing on my block, but a mechanic friend that works at Mauro Motors BMW of North Haven uses the same thing on aluminum blocks and says it's fine. He actually supplied the equipment and did the work to my block. I'm going to get a close up pic of my block tomarrow morning.

01-05-2007, 02:20 PM	#5
IHateHacks 20psi boost Join Date: May 2006 Location: New Haven/Hamden Posts: 793	Thank you for all the input ddmcse, it's people like you that make this a great forum. How much is a lapping tool and compound? Well i've thought about it and I've come all this way, sent out the head (before I thought I was gonna do all the check and servicing to the head myself, yea wrong!) I might as well lap the block. Im stubborn, I dont like to do things but once I start I'm glad I did. I've determined the whiz wheel is to remove stuck on gasket material only, not for resurfacing. The block, with my finger, feels smooth as ice everywhere. Here's some pics. ^ Worst area on the block. ^ ^ I'm a crappy photographer. ^ Now for the fun part, head gasket its blown in 2 different places. ^ That's cylinder 6. ^ ^ That's cylinder 2 ^

01-05-2007, 10:40 PM	#7
IHateHacks 20psi boost Join Date: May 2006 Location: New Haven/Hamden Posts: 793	Well just got the verdict from the machine shop. Cleaned, checked for cracks, checked for warpage, planed, valve lash set, new exhaust studs welded in place (I helicoiled 3 previously and 1 more was on its way to be, ditched that!). Complete head gasket set included. $425+tax!!! Will have pic up tomarrow. Just have to order my ARP studs, and downpipe!! I'm very excited if you haven't noticed.

08-25-2007, 06:44 PM	#10
Bill UK AEM EMS Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: UK Posts: 891	Oil pressure sender unit.