head gasket probs

Ok i got a question
I'm running a multilayer metal gasket after my rebuild about a year ago

the coolants getting pushed to the overflow bottle it doesnt seem to be Much But i'm concerned
I never re-torqued the head im hoping that theres nothing else needed really dont want to think of other possibilitys
But what do you think

Arp studs i'd never had coolant problems before always stayed more or less the same

checked the head and the block was decked during the rebuild last year

What boost presure are you running currently?
And as Bob asked,

also what mls gasket did you use?
did you check block and head face for flatness before fitting?
did you use stock bolts or arp head studs?

providing you torqued the head up correctly in the first instance there should never be any reason to re-torque it

ive heard arp head studs arne't much good, something like they dont tighten down properly or something like that

running 20psi high 15 low
gasket was Cometic
i followed the special Specific torque given by arp

Preload (torque) RECOMMENDATIONS

7. Following the Manufacturers recommended Torque sequence tighten the nuts in three
equal stops to 100ft lbs with ARP ULTRA-TORQUE Fastener assembly lubricant

thats whats noted on the Installation Method
Part # 202-4303 application: Nissan 2.0L (SR2.0DET/RN14)DOHC Turbo 4-cyl

if its letting by it could well be the cometic gasket or arp studs.
we wont use either as had probs with both.
cosworth gaskets work very well plus they can be matched to cylinder bore which stops you leaving a ridge between head and block which can become a heat transfer point where det can occur at top of liner and also on combustion chamber in the head.
from what i can remember the cometic gasket are noted for blowing around the fire rings.

AHHHH well i thought at the time it would be ok never mind i thought it was cheap at the time $139 nzd

how well do the cosworth gaskets hold 20psi+ i was hoping to run 25 once the i got the final tune

Cosworth head gaskets are well up to the job , matched with new STD head bolts you'll have no problems.
Bob can give you the torque and order for head bolts as I think he has built a few lol

I was taking a break from the GTiR sceneparked it in the garage) when all the trouble with arp headstuds was kicking off.Were there many failures?
I got my headstud kit from Tony Bardi Motorsport when I had the engine rebuild done.Also got crank studs from Jun which are supposed to be just Cosworth ones anyway.

BEBB GTIR wrote:ive heard arp head studs arne't much good, something like they dont tighten down properly or something like that

yeah i heard this too, arp's need to be re-torqued after so many miles, so i was told...

Why fit arps when standard are proved again and again, the bear 620bhp me 500bhp, arron 488bhp, chatting with danny fennel the other day and guess what head trouble with his car from the arp head studs so he is going back to standard he's running 557 bhp, as for the re torquing them if they are done to the boxes instructions, then slackened off and redone (this is to compress the headgasket) you should never need to do them again...............if you do there is a problem.

crap so Bin the head studs ???
that really sucks good thing i kept the std ones i'll throw them back in

found a couple of cosworth gaskets in nz one 1.1 and 1.8 would the 1.8 be to thick whats the benefit or the extra thickness

You can supposedly run more boost as it lowers the CR.It should also help offset having your head skimmed.Downside is it can make offboost performance shitty and lower mpg.

also if you have had the head skimmed and block decked the 1.8mm gasket will be needed or youll be running high boost on a higher than stock compression ratio which will give a much higher risk of head lifting so depending how much was removed from head and block is dependant on gasket thickness but dont think youll be far out with a 1.8mm gasket ttbh.

Cool thanks guys i see on the mod club theres a group buy and you can get a 1.3
the block didnt have Much at all off was more surfaced i think I out sourced the Block rebuild
see if i can order one this morning =) Most appreciated

sorry about turning this tread into a tread on Head gaskets more than engine builds Maybe move the topic and retitle it lol

i've got a couple of options Now
cosworth: 1.1 or 1.8 87mm $310
Tomei: 1.0mm, 1.2mm, 1.5mm, and 1.8mm 88mm bore $385

have you guys used the tomei one ?? would the 88mm bore size be more likely to cause more trouble
a mates running this gasket and swears By it but
I'm More leaning to the cosworth after your guys opinions

ive split the topic now away from the sticky for you.

ok with regard to head gasket thickness you would need to measure stock block and head to work out exactly how much has been removed and also need to know the compression ratio you are looking at running for your desired build.

as a guesstimate though i would say stick to cosworth 87mm bore gasket and i would probably go with either a 1.5mm or 1.8mm head gasket

dont know in gbp how much the gasket is delivered to you but if you can let me know in £££ i have a new 1.5mm gasket in stock which i could send to you and hopefully save you some money.
i deffo would not fit less than a 1.5mm with the boost level you are running at.

Ive sorted the thread out for you Bob

thanks stu i was trying to do it myself as didnt want to hassle you but fooked the whole thread up lol

gtirus wrote:
dont know in gbp how much the gasket is delivered to you but if you can let me know in £££ i have a new 1.5mm gasket in stock which i could send to you and hopefully save you some money.
i deffo would not fit less than a 1.5mm with the boost level you are running at.

awesome Thanks Guys I was starting to think it was getting quite far from a engine build tread thanks to you both bob and Stu
called the dealer today to find out what a New set of new bolts was worth Or can the old ones be reused safely?

as far as i'm aware 160.38gbp is 309 nzd

I have a Tomei 1mm HG with Tomei pistons & cams, par rods, TBM headstuds, Jun crankstuds and its currently at 21psi on a gt3071.The only experience I can relate in terms of reliability is in 2700km it hasn't leaked :p.
I seem to get better mpg than most people(can see 38mpg on the motorway) probably due to a better VE from higher CR and also cos I can drive like a granny going to church if I want to.

im not doin too bad on the petrol this tank so far im at half a tank and trip is reading 148.4miles:)

yep i can beat that price by £20 if i send via royal mail 1st class recorded delivery.
so can do it for £140 shipped inclusive of paypal fees if you want!

you can reuse the stock head bolts but ideally you need to measure them for stretch.
if i know they have come off a unbuilt stock engine then we reuse them and have never had a problem with them yet.
on the final 90 degree torque down give them an extra 10 degrees but make sure you use some light grease on the bolts before installing them and youll be fine!

All good Bob I found a 1.5mm over here I'll get a measurement and Let you know
so you dont deal in Flb and any special sort of Grease ??

ok so the std headbolts measure at 7 1/8 or 180mm

:UPDATE:
so removed the head yesterday to find this
http://sirgtir.orconhosting.net.nz/Car%20stuff/%231.jpg

http://sirgtir.orconhosting.net.nz/Car%20stuff/head%20gasket.jpg

http://sirgtir.orconhosting.net.nz/Car%20stuff/%232.jpg