HEADS OFF

Discussion in 'General Discussion' started by Kiwi SRT10, Jan 21, 2021.

Car Parts
  1. rottenronnie

    rottenronnie Well-Known Member Supporting Member

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    Its 6 pm here and I'll be gone from 5:30 am to around 6 pm (our time) tomorrow.

    Good luck!
     
  2. Kiwi SRT10

    Kiwi SRT10 Well-Known Member Supporting Member

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    Just got back home. The head gaskets were black original multi layer steel. How archaic, I have not seen those since I was a teenager. 1960's Bedford 300ci petrol engines had them and they leaked water when cold. They have no business being on a modern engine.
    Anyway new gaskets are composite and also have new bolts. Engine is real clean, even the rocker covers are clean. With my phone torch I can see the hone marks in the bores which are clean. All pistons are same colour, black, so there are no issues there. Heads are away getting skimmed at the moment. So it is all looking good. Some of the head bolts did not even need to be cracked to undo them.
     
  3. rottenronnie

    rottenronnie Well-Known Member Supporting Member

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    Sounds like it will be better than new.
     
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  4. Kiwi SRT10

    Kiwi SRT10 Well-Known Member Supporting Member

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    I still find it hard to believe these engines had steel head gaskets. That is out of the dark ages.
    Did yours? Or is it just the real early ones like mine.
    It also was factory with 17" wheels, which is why the bump stops on the front are too small.
     
  5. AMS3

    AMS3 Well-Known Member

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    I thought you re-torqued the heads a few months ago? Still leaking eh?
     
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  6. rottenronnie

    rottenronnie Well-Known Member Supporting Member

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    Gen iii used the black coated gaskets when assembled.
    The black coated gaskets weren't available through parts *here anyway*

    The uncoated head gaskets (not black) which were the only replacement head gaskets available through Mopar Parts.

    Don't you worry, the multi-layered steel gaskets work just fine.

    They all matter.
     
    Last edited: Jul 27, 2021
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  7. rottenronnie

    rottenronnie Well-Known Member Supporting Member

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    No fancy calculations required when milling the heads.
    If you remove .020" off the face (for example), remove the same amount off of the intake sealing surface.

    With those thinner gaskets actually sealing, and the milled heads, your truck should run like a champ.
     
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  8. Kiwi SRT10

    Kiwi SRT10 Well-Known Member Supporting Member

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    :D
     
  9. rottenronnie

    rottenronnie Well-Known Member Supporting Member

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    Well... How does it run?
     
  10. Kiwi SRT10

    Kiwi SRT10 Well-Known Member Supporting Member

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    I rang this morning and he was cleaning up valves and putting new stem seals on.
    He is also going to look the problematic wiring loom at rear of engine that was cooked on the headers. So that will be good too.
     
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  11. rottenronnie

    rottenronnie Well-Known Member Supporting Member

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    Nice!
     
  12. Kiwi SRT10

    Kiwi SRT10 Well-Known Member Supporting Member

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    I should pick up on Friday, huh hahaha pick up hahaha.
    Anyway the best machine shop in town said these guys are the only ones he would let work on my truck if he owned it. Very unassuming shop and laid back guys. Only 2 guys, lot's of experience and worked on lots of race cars over the decades. You have to wait for the good workshops to fit you in. The not so flash ones can start straight away.....wonder why. I am trying to be patient....it's not working, so I am doing other things.
     
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  13. rottenronnie

    rottenronnie Well-Known Member Supporting Member

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    They are a "conventional engine with an exotic touch". I'm sure it will be worth the wait.

    Glad you are using new head bolts (and BTW, a re-torque shouldn't be required).
     
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  14. Kiwi SRT10

    Kiwi SRT10 Well-Known Member Supporting Member

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    I have a bit more confidence in the new gaskets. Back in the old days we used to reuse the steel ones with a new coat of shilack.
    Even the composites got a coat of aluminium paint as we had no machine shop, it was a day away. So it was a straight edge and on they went again lol
     
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  15. rottenronnie

    rottenronnie Well-Known Member Supporting Member

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    Friday (tentative pick-up date)...
    Saturday
    Sunday
    Monday
    Tuesday.....:rolleyes:
     
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  16. Kiwi SRT10

    Kiwi SRT10 Well-Known Member Supporting Member

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    :p I have picked the beast today. Been a couple of little jobs done while it was there. Re-route of injector wiring loom over top of steering column instead of under. New heat proof wrap on that as well. Plenty of header clearance now. :) I have been given task of driving as many times as possible over the weekend and then take her back for a check over and for the aniti freeze coolant. The engine sounds different. Quieter under the hood and noisier at the back. Exhaust has a smidge more crack to it and is louder when I was driving home.:D So far so good. I have found out this guy rallied with Hayden Paddon's dad and built Haydens first rally cars and crewed for him. Before he got the Hyundai Team Drive. Anyway off to watch some more Kiwis winning gold medals lol. So many of them I don't get much time for anything else.:D:D:D;)
     
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  17. rottenronnie

    rottenronnie Well-Known Member Supporting Member

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    Your coolant will he happy it's not dealing with combustion; and your radiator doesn't have to blow bubbles anymore.
    The catch can goop (I think you have one, I forget, will change colour too).
    Louder out the back is a good sign and it might even get louder once that "coolant cushion" inside your exhaust system burns off.

    Some people say normal is boring.

    Not in this case.

    Have fun with your "new and improved" rig!!
     
    Last edited: Aug 4, 2021
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  18. Kiwi SRT10

    Kiwi SRT10 Well-Known Member Supporting Member

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    There were no combustion leaks or sharing of engine fluids. It was just leaking coolant out the rear of the head and leaving annoying small puddles on the garage floor
     
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  19. rottenronnie

    rottenronnie Well-Known Member Supporting Member

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    How much did they take off the heads; or was it just a trueing cut?
     
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  20. Kiwi SRT10

    Kiwi SRT10 Well-Known Member Supporting Member

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    20 thou. There was no fretting either, except on my part.
     
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