Best Head Gasket To Use?

[bionicxr6t05]

  On 28/04/2012 at 9:04 AM, possum said:

Whilst I am going to contradict myself, yes I know what torque to yield bolts are and yes theoretically you should replace them.... however I have reused them many times without fail

What boost/power u running? Why you would reuse them is beyond me... Shell out once for a good set of studs that you know will hold the head down at most power levels... Reusing factory bolts is a guessing game, im suprised they didnt snap when you "re torqued" them.... Tensile strength is completely lost after they are torqued up initially then undone

[riptide]

  On 28/04/2012 at 8:19 AM, mic said:

that's awesome as the std pistons are stout as anyway. I hate forged piston slap. this is what I will do, do u have to press fit the gudgeon pins or are they circlips ?

The small ends are silicone bronze bushed so I opened them up to a nice, snug slide fit and yes, they are circlipped

[turbotrana]

The head bolts are 12.9 grade from memory so unless the head of the bolt has come off then I reckon they are fine to use. Might even work better using a used bolt. Just use the stock ford gasket.

[possum]

  On 28/04/2012 at 9:56 AM, bionicxr6t05 said:

What boost/power u running? Why you would reuse them is beyond me... Shell out once for a good set of studs that you know will hold the head down at most power levels... Reusing factory bolts is a guessing game, im suprised they didnt snap when you "re torqued" them.... Tensile strength is completely lost after they are torqued up initially then undone

I don't actually own a xr6t anymore.....but I've assembled a few engines recently

[ebxmple]

If you have an FG and it comes in for warranty repair of a leaking headgasket,we reuse your bolts. If it was my car I would replace them,but Ford dont allow cost for new headbolts.. This suprises me everytime,as they have to warrant the head job that's being done,but yeah,none have ever come back.

[bionicxr6t05]

Every time iv done a head under warranty I used new bolts no problems?

[kartman]

I replace head bolts on every head I do, if you have a stretch gauge and can compare your used bolt to a new one and know the limitations ten it's not worth the risk. The stock head gaskets are very good, the multilayer steel shim is the most common form of headgasket these days due to the reliability of them. Cometic have a good rap but I have two customers who have gone back to stock gaskets from Cometic allthough not in Fords, LS1 twin turbo's

Cheers

Joel

[possum]

  On 29/04/2012 at 12:01 AM, bionicxr6t05 said:

Every time iv done a head under warranty I used new bolts no problems?

When you use new head bolts does ford specify a procedure to "stretch" them then back them off and then actually torque them down?

[bionicxr6t05]

Yep run down all bolts to 30nm first then tighten 90 degrees then undo them then retorque to 40nm then a further 2 90 degree turns.... Il recheck it tomoro as iv printed that page and stuck it on the wall next to my toolbox,

[riptide]

I will probably re-use the head bolts, just because I can't afford to pay the ridiculous prices Ford ask for them here.

I am still unsure whether I should return the multi layer 1.3m/m head gasket I have here and get the cheap one or not??

One thing that concerns me with the thicker one is that you get a spacer with the kit so does that mean the timing chain cover bolts won't line up where it bolts to the head??

Did I read that right. Two lots of 90 degrees after 40nm? My Max Ellery book says 40nm then 90 degrees.

Edited 29/04/12 09:15 AM by riptide