So are you 100% certain that the problem is the head gaskets? Or are you assuming?

 

If the machine shop were not informed on your work that MLS gaskets are being used, that has had a part to play in this, if this is the case then it should not be expensive parts wise to rectify, just labour to pay, if not doing it yourself.

 

100% certain. Spent 3 days diagnosing it convincing myself it may be something else. Under boost it puts combustion gases in the coolant & dumps half it's antifreeze over the NS wing in spectacular fashion. Then it runs hot & has to be parked up to cool down. If I then fill it up & drive off boost it's fine until I allow it to boost again

 

Sounds like the heads are lifting under boost Rich if it will not get hot without it fella.

 

This is my theory too. I'll get some prices then decide wether I dare do it all over again.

 

We only ever use Cometic gaskets on 2.33's as that is the only available gasket. Otherwise we avoid them like the plague. We use either standard Subaru mls STi type or Cosworth, - Cosworth are cheaper..................

But that is after very carefully measuring to ensure that the compression ratio is correctly calculated. We very rarely skim heads or blocks, just occasionally when there is damage.

Like AJ at Engine tuner we use 11mm studs up to 500 hp [ we make our own parallel shank ones. ] or 14mm above that - again we make our own.

But we've never had an HG failure problem on that set up, after we have done it properly. So I'm a bit non-plussed about why you had a failure, we or someone would need to see it to advise correctly AND it wants doing that way, or you run the risk of a further failure without proper professional advice.

David APi

 

Thanks David,
What would you charge to do the job for me?

 

yeah i would send it to david mate.

surface finish can be important , alot of ppl who do skimming dont really get the required finish, on most cars this would be fine but on high boost applications its not. btw i dont think you need to grind aluminium do you, i think you can mill alu to a good finish

 

That's a little bit open ended, as we are not sure what has caused the problem. Obviously engine out and strip the heads off etc. I would expect that if is straightforward, something in the region of £1100.00 + VAT [ £ 1320.00 inc ] drive in drive out.

But of course if we find a disaster of some sort that would change things rather.

Good Luck David

 

OK so Iv got two offers to do this job for me. Both are from highly respected specialists,& I may take one of them up. However I'm going to have to shop around a bit, has anyone else got any recommendations before I part with my cash?

 

Yes API, they build more Subaru engines than anyone one else!

 

Plenty out there, Paul Finch is building my engine at the moment

 

Carnetics in Melton are the closest to me. Anyone know anything about them are they reputable for engine building etc?

 

Finch motorsport are in your neck of the woods too. Northampton.

 

Any more recommendations for Paul Finch? What about ScoobyClinic they are in Chesterfield close to me,any good reports?

 

I would recommend Paul Finch, he re-built my forged 2.5 after a ringland failure and the engine has never run better, making 60hp more with virtually no oil usage, the latter being a common feature of his builds,
Trev

 

scoobyclinic are very good at what they do .

 

Cheers Alan,is that from personal experience. Couldn't believe my luck after spending most of my cash on your 6 speed.I must be jinxed.

 

lets hope your not jixed ive known Kev, owner of s/c for around 10 years yes they will do you a good job, But there,s the scooby specialist Im useing near York who is building my car who is 100% allso,

 

Remind me Alan,who is that?

 

And is building my 2.1.

SD Motorsport

Steven Darley,who drives the lateral banana

 

Just thought I'd update this thread. I took the engine out last week & sent it to Paul Finch of Finch Motorsport. No bad reflection on any of the other specialists mentioned,but Iv heard a lot of good things about Paul, & Bob who does my mapping advised me to use him. Paul has told me one of the Cometic gaskets was faulty & has emailed pictures of the faulty part where it blew. He also found the shells were shot & need replacing as they were not ACL race bearings which were supposed to have been fitted by the previous builder. The compression ratio was too low so I need a remap,but it should perform better when finished. I will update this in a couple of weeks when I get it back together,but I'm now thinking this may have been a blessing in disguise as Puul has found other minor issues aswell. I'm hoping the car will be better than ever after mapping now Iv found an engine builder who really knows what he's doing.

 

i hope your chasing the previous builder for costs of parts not fitted as promised.

 

Who was the builder mate?
PM if you prefer .

 

Good to hear you're getting sorted Richard, will be better than ever now!

 

I spoke to the original builder when it initially failed & he told me it was all my fault as I had put my heads on the short motor he had built for me. I asked him to look at it for me offering to pay him for his time but he refused trying to tell me he didn't work on complete engines eventhough he still has them advertised on his website. His best offer was to sell me more gaskets which was a joke. He even told me the bottom end would be fine which it was not. From his initial reaction I don't think he gives a toss even
though I spent thousands not just on the short motor but
on the turbo & everything else. I can't be bothered with
him & won't be using him again, but I'm not going to name
Hhim as it would be awkward for myself & others involved
in this.