yurizx6r

Hey guys, probably a dumb question, but I'm having a hard time finding a good answer. As some of you know I have a head gasket leak problem. I took the heads off and piston #7 and somewhat #8 did not seal properly on the top of the piston ring seal to the valley. I took a 12 inch straight edge to the heads and I could not fit a 2 thousands feeler gauge in it anywhere. I took the same straight edge to the block and could not fit a 3 thousands gauge in it, but if I didn't put pressure on it on piston #5 I could somewhat fit the 2 thousands gauge through but certainly not on 7 and 8. However, I do need to clean the block up some more, so I don't want to get ahead of myself.

My question is what tolerances would be acceptable? Does the block need to be completely flat with no exceptions or is it ok to fit a 2 thousands feeler gauge in? Tonight I have to clean the block up a little more, and I have a 48 inch straight edge to try, but so far the block looks pretty damn good. I will know later today from the machine shop about the heads. Thoughts?

yurizx6r

Cylinder 8 is on the far left of the first picture.

mjr46

up , down, and sideways across cylinders to check all angles of trueness...general rule of thumb 3-4 thous

yurizx6r

Ok I just got the results from the machine shop. He checked it with a strait edge and said it was flat; however, when he put it on the machine to skim it, he said it was 4-5 thousands off in the area where I had my problems. If it was 4-5 thousands leaned or whatever, do you think with a Felpro 9333pt1 composite gasket that would cause it to leak? I'm hoping the heads are my problem and not the block.

mjr46

gasket should not be the issue, I have run and currently run 9333pt1 on many tfs equipped builds.

mjr46

follow proper torque procedure and 3 stages of torque when installing head gaskets

yurizx6r

I did 4 stages, but what what I am asking is that would 4-5 thousands cause my issue? I used a Felpro 9333pt1 which is a 40 thousands composite gasket. I can see it both ways.

bluebeastsrt

Now that you've decked the block there is no reason not to use a MLS head gasket other than budget. As said, follow proper torqueing.

yurizx6r

The heads have been resurfaced, but not the block. If the block was machined, I'd feel perfectly fine using a MLS gasket. But what I'm not even sure if the composite will work because 4-5 thousands does not seem like anything a composite gasket wouldn't compensate for... but then again I'm not sure that's why I'm asking. What is strange is I didn't have a problem with the stock heads and according to the guy who I bought the heads off of the car they were pulled from was in perfect working order. I used brand new ARP bolts with thread sealer on the threads and torque lube under the washers on all the bolts, then I 4 staged the bolts using the proper torque specs and sequence. I just don't know what could have caused my issue.

mjr46

he didn't deck the block