dai trimm

gutted cant go to meet as my head gasket gone,does any body know how long it takes to do and what is the best head gasket to buy

an03dr0

Wot car is it hawkeye

dai trimm

it a bugeye

RICHARD J

iTrader: (4)

To do it properly needs full strip as often they wreck the shells. A couple of days labour. Do not use Cometic gaskets as mine went after 2500 miles due to a faulty Cometic & Iv heard mines not the only one. Use Cosworth or gen Subaru.

dai trimm

ok thanks

Jimbob

iTrader: (13)

Your best off getting both heads done and both head gaskets, as you may need a skim. So best off matching them.
Cometic head gaskets are good, but don`t buy cheap crap as it`ll bite you in the *** sooner or later.
And as its out, new cambelt kit, plugs, water pump, thermostat, and if you can stretch uprated oil pump. That way you`ll have a better than new engine going back in.

dai trimm

thanks guys got heads off goin to put new head gaskets all new pipes new timing belt kit new uprated oil pmp is there anything else i need to change

mp24

iTrader: (1)

Have you checked to see if the heads need to be skimmed before putting it back together ?

Jimbob

iTrader: (13)

As above they will need a check as they might have warped. Worth a check and pressure test, and if you have one done, do the other the same.

dai trimm

thanks the 2 is being done tuesday

Cannon Fodder

iTrader: (100)

I'd also check the engine decks with a straight engineers edge if you're not getting the decks skimmed, it might just safe you doing the job twice.

Cometic gaskets are fine you just need to make sure that the skim finish is compatible with multi layered steel gaskets like those used by Cometic, Cosworth and even I believe the uprated STi (aftermarket and not those fitted in the factory STi engines) gaskets.

If the skim finish is wrong for the gasket then the gasket will never sit correctly or seal properly either.

RICHARD J

iTrader: (4)

When mine went Paul Finch rebuilt it. The block & head faces were fine, the surfaces were fine & no warpage,but the surface of the gasket had bubbled up. Paul believes it was a fault in the gasket. If you do a search others have had similar issues. Most engine builders only use them on 2.35 strokers as it's the only gasket. Cosworth or Subaru MLS gaskets aren't that much more,Paul used Cosworth on mine,it's just not worth the risk,use ARP head studs aswell.

Cannon Fodder

iTrader: (100)

^^^ You will always find that someone somewhere has had an issue with supplier X's components; I think that even on your thread that a member had problems with Cosworth MLS gaskets.

Speculating you might even find that Cosworth gaskets aren't even made by Cosworth and are just rebranded gaskets made by supplier Y. I know this to be the case as the kevlar belts supplied by Cosworth are rebranded Gates Racing belts with around a 40% premium on the price.

I have Cometic gaskets on my own engine build, these were recommended by Advanced Automotives who have built some very big BHP Subaru engines and that's all they use - not well known on this forum but one of the very best at what they do.

RICHARD J

iTrader: (4)

I can only speak from my own experience on this which cost me a fortune but I spoke to 4 highly respected engine builders & they all told me they would avoid using Cometic. I'm sure some have had no issues but why would you risk it when the consequences of a failure are so expensive. Advanced also sell Cosworth perhaps for their big BHP builds.

Cannon Fodder

iTrader: (100)

From personal experience and having spoken to Nick @ Advanced he recommended using Cometic gaskets as its what he would use from personal choice.

When my engine was rebuilt Nick did the machining required and he honed the block to suit the pistons etc etc, from my experience I haven't had any issues with the Cometic gaskets and once the engine was suitably run in and mapped to suit the new CR, turbocharger, FMIC etc I haven't exactly held back and if the gaskets were to fail they would have done so long before now.

It could be luck of the draw so to speak, I've worked in the motor trade for over 20 years and you'll always get component failures no matter what you try and do to avoid them.

RICHARD J

iTrader: (4)

Your build sounds similar to mine minus HG failure. I'm sure there is a luck element here or lack of it but once bitten twice shy.

Cannon Fodder

iTrader: (100)

I did suffer a HG failure to be honest that's why I ended up doing a full rebuild, and it's lucky that I did as the block deck was warped (the heads were skimmed but I was going to just leave it at that but then decided on a full rebuild and block maching whilst it was split) as just fitting new gaskets with ARP studs would have led to another gasket failure within miles of it being finished.

RICHARD J

iTrader: (4)

Mines just had the same treatment twice hope this one lasts or I'll be gutted.

The Stitcher

iTrader: (12)

If it was me I would also be using new head bolts, I had cometic gaskets and were fine when I build my engine

RICHARD J

iTrader: (4)

Forget head bolts you want ARP head studs.

The Stitcher

iTrader: (12)

dai trimm

havin new shells new valves all new seals skimmed pressure test new upgraded oil pump all new water pipes vacuum pipes timing belt kit plugs oil all new filters is there anything else i need

Cannon Fodder

iTrader: (100)

Thermostat, water pump, timing belt with tensioners/rollers, new spark plugs, bottom end rebuild kit (includes all the little seals/gaskets) you need, head bolts or studs plus a new set of crankcase bolts.

Who is doing the work?

Cannon Fodder

iTrader: (100)

Plus con rod bolts of course, I'll add more when I remember.

Cannon Fodder

iTrader: (100)

Piston rings?

dai trimm

myself got garage got all the stuff you said so far thanks