Head gasket

[cohn]

Rebuilt my motor not long ago, the car hasn't even really be driven yet, just in and out of the workshop and the tihings blown a bloody head gasket.
Does anyone know the correct torque settings for tightening the head with a copper head gasket?
Is it different to tightening a standard head gasket?
I know you are suspose to tighten then loosen and retighten to correct torque but i think i read somewhere you were suspose to tighen first, get it hot then loosen and retighten?
Any information would be much appreciated.
Thankyou.
Colin.

[mag]

Rebuilt my motor not long ago, the car hasn't even really be driven yet, just in and out of the workshop and the tihings blown a bloody head gasket.
Does anyone know the correct torque settings for tightening the head with a copper head gasket?
Is it different to tightening a standard head gasket?
I know you are suspose to tighten then loosen and retighten to correct torque but i think i read somewhere you were suspose to tighen first, get it hot then loosen and retighten?
Any information would be much appreciated.
Thankyou.
Colin.

Give this number a ring, they sell copper head gaskets in all thickness's and should know what to do.. 03 59 814334

I used copper H/Gaskets on motor bikes and can't ever remember loosening them!!

[harry3]

there are many traps in torquing down a head and theres an art in the correct use of a torque wrench
I would get someone else to do it for you

[cohn]

I know how to use a torque wrench, why would i pay someone to do it when i'm a mechanic myself? i'm just unsure what the correct torque settings are suspose to be?

[mag]

Rebuilt my motor not long ago, the car hasn't even really be driven yet, just in and out of the workshop and the tihings blown a bloody head gasket.
Does anyone know the correct torque settings for tightening the head with a copper head gasket?
Is it different to tightening a standard head gasket?
I know you are suspose to tighten then loosen and retighten to correct torque but i think i read somewhere you were suspose to tighen first, get it hot then loosen and retighten?
Any information would be much appreciated.
Thankyou.
Colin.

Head gasket should be re-torqued after initial run-in(started and allowed to get to running temp). Recommend using factory torque specs. Do not over torque. Allow the head and block to cool for accurate torque readings. Back off the head bolt enough to releave stress and re-torque.
Is the block or head O-ringed? and did u use Hylomar or Copper Coat adhesive?

[cohn]

yeah i used holymar and no not o ringed, i torqued up then loosen and retorqued but not after getting to operating temp.
i don't know whats going on witrh the motor, the oil was milky so i suspected a head gasket, but its not showing any other symtoms, no excessive oil in coolant, its not runniong worse, it might be running better every time i drive it due to the rings bedding in. not loosing coolant, did a cooling system pressure test and its not loosing all the pressure, hot, cold or overnight so i dunno whats going on, might not be head gasket???
gonna get the computer done first and see how it runs like, then keep an eye on the coolant and oil over the next couple of weeks.

[mag]

yeah i used holymar and no not o ringed, i torqued up then loosen and retorqued but not after getting to operating temp.
i don't know whats going on witrh the motor, the oil was milky so i suspected a head gasket, but its not showing any other symtoms, no excessive oil in coolant, its not runniong worse, it might be running better every time i drive it due to the rings bedding in. not loosing coolant, did a cooling system pressure test and its not loosing all the pressure, hot, cold or overnight so i dunno whats going on, might not be head gasket???
gonna get the computer done first and see how it runs like, then keep an eye on the coolant and oil over the next couple of weeks.

what did u use to seal the head bolts??
what boost will u have or max boost you'll use?

[cohn]

seal the head bolts??? wjhat do ya mean? the headbolts came with some oil which i used along its length,
and boost, i dunno yet probaly round the 15psi mark for driving round and a bit more if i want maybe 22-23 max

[mag]

seal the head bolts??? wjhat do ya mean? the headbolts came with some oil which i used along its length,
and boost, i dunno yet probaly round the 15psi mark for driving round and a bit more if i want maybe 22-23 max

Are you using studs or head bolts??
You can get coolant bypass the threads on the head studs and leak inside the rocker cover. If coolant disappers and you can't find where it might be that..
Finally with a copper head gasket it should be used with o-rings on anything that's got 8psi or more..

[kenwstr]

Blown head ganket on a holden?
Don't hear that much but I guess it can happen on anything.

Interestingly I have heard this a lot with Fords and all different models too.
In fact, thinking about it, I don't know any Ford owners who havn't had one. Talking cars with this guy at work the other day, found he has a Ford. Commented on the Ford/head gasket thing. Guess what, him too. He's going to buy another Ford though.

Hmm no intelligent life on this planet or is it just Ford drivers???
;-)

Ken

[Stewart1000]

yeah thats because the commodores are V6, so the head is shorter than a straight six, which is what the falcon has. but the vl 6 is a nissan motor. same at the r31 skyline, but different head design.

just a tip on torquing down a head, put some grease around the bottom of the thread, just a little and some on the bottom of the head of the bolt so that when it it tightening there is less friction, giving the wrench a better reading, oil works too but not as well, always have your arm on a right angle on the wrench and once you start turning don't stop untill it clicks, you cant stop half way and start again.

and if you wanted to do a real good job, do it to specs, warm the engine up, let it cool and do it all again. loosen from out-in

[kenwstr]

yeah thats because the commodores are V6, so the head is shorter than a straight six, which is what the falcon has. but the vl 6 is a nissan motor. same at the r31 skyline, but different head design.

More than one was a laser so I don't think it's feature of just the long in line heads. Not real sure but were the early lasers the introduction of alloy heads for Ford? If so, the laser head problems could have been a function of new technology at the time.

I am interested if anyone else suspects Fords are particularly prone to blowing head gaskets.


Regards,
Ken