Multiple head gasket failure

Ruben774

Ruben774

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Feb 16, 2009
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I know that there are several hundred threads on this all ready but I didn't want to hyjack someone else's thread.

I'm on my third head gasket. The head is o ringed and when I pull the head it doesn't appear that compression is blowing it out. What I'm wondering is if the 425 studs are stretching enough that the water pump is pushing enough pressure to wash it out? Thermostat being the restriction. What's your thoughts on that?

What I had planned on doing is remove the thermostat and put 625s in it. And possibly putting a electric water pump on. Do you think this will hold better?
 
Fire Rings are the solution! Too much power for a reliable setup with orings and ARP 2000 studs.
 
The compression ring doesn't really blow out usually. It just lets enough hot combustion gas leak by that it burns out the softer sealing material around the oil and/or water passages. I've had two builds that single O-rings wouldn't hold, that I switched to double O-rings. That solved the problem with both. Current engine has made it a year at around 1000 hp. But it looks like you may be well above that, and should consider fire rings as Will said. Either way I'd use 625s.
 
Drothgeb:
Are 1/4 times are pretty close. When you say double o-rings, are you putting one in the head and one in the block at different diameters? I just find it crazy that its never blown oil out. Always water and different spots each time.
 
Never mind on the double o-ring. I searched and found your thread on it.
 
The deck of your block is perfect? I've pulled many of heads off of trucks where people and "shops" thought it was OK for a block to have a pile of pitting on it.
 
Get the head surfaced, orings and fire rings never heard of them.... but I haven't heard of compounds either.
 
zfaylor said:
The deck of your block is perfect? I've pulled many of heads off of trucks where people and "shops" thought it was OK for a block to have a pile of pitting on it.
Click to expand...

Its hard to say now after 3 years of running this motor. Surface looks good but thats not saying much.
 
I went through 3 head gaskets with oringed head. The last time I made sure to be dilegent on retorques. Torqued my 425s to 135. I'm running .010 protrusion. This last time I also sprayed copper coat on the head and block, made sure to let it dry completely before assembly. Been holding for the last few months hot rodding it to work and back WOT pulls every chance I get plus 6 12.6 passes at the track this last weekend (need to work on some tuning).
 
Ruben774 said:
Its hard to say now after 3 years of running this motor. Surface looks good but thats not saying much.
Click to expand...

So the deck surface has never been checked with a machinist block and feeler gauges?
 
zfaylor said:
The deck of your block is perfect? I've pulled many of heads off of trucks where people and "shops" thought it was OK for a block to have a pile of pitting on it.
Click to expand...

be willing to bet this is the issue, see it freaquently.
 
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