Update on Blown head gaskets
Pro
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 679
Likes: 4
From: TremontonUT UT
My old schooling was to re-torque steel gaskets and it was not needed on the composites because they were more forgiving. It has been awhile since I installed a set of heads but I am sure I will follow the gasket manufactures recommendations when the time comes. Later! Frank
Race Director
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 16,837
Likes: 338
From: Database Error Indiana
Race Director
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 16,837
Likes: 338
From: Database Error Indiana
Be safe. Get a low buck laptop and Tunerpro TR or Datamaster. Tunerpro is free and you can use Datamaster 20 times free. After that its $120 for unlimited use. It has paid for itself many times for me. Its also a very intresting tool to use.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 6,130
Likes: 2
From: seattle WA
Hey Chuck, I didn't mean to insinuate you didn't do it in stages or follow the pattern....sorry if it sounded that way, what I was trying to emphasize was at least in my experience and being of "old school" I still believe in retorquing after bringing the engine up to temp. I've only had one experience where I had to do it again (head gasket) and that was on an old Jag. (aluminum head also) I thought I had carefully checked the head (with a straight edge) so I didn't think it needed resurfacing...boy was I wrong.
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 22,209
Likes: 12
From: OBAMA IS HITLER
as for fel-pro, i hope that if they're at fault, then they admit it, man up to the plate, pay for a new set of gaskets and at least pay some portion of the labor costs.
in this day & age, that sort of honesty & forthrightness is few and far between.
and don't ask me how i know.
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Brett Foote
Racer
Joined: Oct 1999
Posts: 467
Likes: 1
From: Lufkin tx
Had a very similar experience with the FelPro 1010 head gaskets. Turns out my tourque wrench was 10ft lbs low. However I switched them for the thinner Victor Reinz? 5746 gaskets and never had any more trouble.
Thread Starter
Safety Car
Joined: Oct 2001
Posts: 4,763
Likes: 1
From: Connectivette
Hey Chuck, I didn't mean to insinuate you didn't do it in stages or follow the pattern....sorry if it sounded that way, what I was trying to emphasize was at least in my experience and being of "old school" I still believe in retorquing after bringing the engine up to temp. I've only had one experience where I had to do it again (head gasket) and that was on an old Jag. (aluminum head also) I thought I had carefully checked the head (with a straight edge) so I didn't think it needed resurfacing...boy was I wrong.
I am going to have my torque wrench re-calibrated before I attempt this again. I had mine and a buddies of mine which torque values seem to be almost dead on. The could both however be f'ed up.
Race Director
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 12,518
Likes: 19
as long as it's .002" or less front-to-back and side-to-side, you're good to go.
as for fel-pro, i hope that if they're at fault, then they admit it, man up to the plate, pay for a new set of gaskets and at least pay some portion of the labor costs.
in this day & age, that sort of honesty & forthrightness is few and far between.
and don't ask me how i know.
as for fel-pro, i hope that if they're at fault, then they admit it, man up to the plate, pay for a new set of gaskets and at least pay some portion of the labor costs.
in this day & age, that sort of honesty & forthrightness is few and far between.
and don't ask me how i know.
Thread Starter
Safety Car
Joined: Oct 2001
Posts: 4,763
Likes: 1
From: Connectivette
Nothing yet....The machine shop who built my short block and sent the gaskets off with the Felprpo rep. said "don't expect a quick response" .
They would have had them a month come 12/26. I'll give him a call after the first of the year.
I cant remember the bore size particulars except that they can certainly handle a .030 boring
They would have had them a month come 12/26. I'll give him a call after the first of the year.
I cant remember the bore size particulars except that they can certainly handle a .030 boring
say what 
Race Director
Joined: Feb 1999
Posts: 12,772
Likes: 17
From: Indianapolis IN
Team Owner
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 24,460
Likes: 7
From: sw Ohio
If I were going with a high compression engine like that I would build it overkill with the gaskets. The 1010's are strong for a stock or mild engine, but I have no idea how well they hold up on an engine like that.
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 2,171
Likes: 1
From: Warwick RI
C'mon guys.... 12, 12.5 is considered high.
11-1 shuld be considered a mild build for a gasket manufacturer.