I had a rod know and have purchased a used block here on HT. Anyhow, I transferred my old head to the new block using a new OEM head gasket. After moving the engine around when installing the flywheel, I've notice an oil leak by the head gasket. I rechecked the torque on the head bolts and all are into spec. I've been told that the OEM head gaskets are a one time use deal. I was wondering what you'all think if I took it out and spray on a permatex copper adhesive sealer. As a note, my old engine did not leak what so ever. I figured the block I bought doesn't have a perfectly flat deck. This is my guess why there is a leak. Anyone who has experienced this please post up some comments/advise. Thanks!!!

 

Id say yes you can reuse it, but it also depends on how long you were running it for.

 

which is easier

1. take the head apart, spraying and reinstalling the head and removing it a 2nd time cuz it still leaks, then buying a new OEM HG

2. replacing the HG with a new OEM once. AKA the right way.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Turbo E &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">which is easier

1. take the head apart, spraying and reinstalling the head and removing it a 2nd time cuz it still leaks, then buying a new OEM HG

2. replacing the HG with a new OEM once. AKA the right way.

</TD></TR></TABLE>

Very true, but for a guy on a budget, it may be worth a shot. Plus pulling a head isnt all that bad.

 

i know where ur coming from. well if you got the time, go for it. personally, i hated doing my HG. almost as bad as the clutch.

if your head/deck is warped....

 

i agree pulling the head gets old. just buy a new one and you wont have to worry about it. and i know you said you were on a budget but save yourself some labor and head ache get a gasket

 

Thanks for the replies. I guess I wasn't making myself clear. The head gasket is brand new. I just replaced it. I havn't ran the engine. I have however torque it down already. That's when I noticed the leak. I'm hoping the copper sealant/adhesive works and someone here has done it. Anyone?

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Turbo E &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">if your head/deck is warped.... </TD></TR></TABLE> Turbo E do you think a warped deck (block) will be saved by a copper sealant enought to where it won't leak? I guess its how far the deck (block) is it from being flat.

 

^^^

 

Once you torque the studs down the headgasket crushes... that's why it's only good for one use...

If you take the head off you have to replace the headgasket, it will be crushed from when you tightened the studs and will not seal correctly the second time.

I wouldn't take chances with copper spray, just go buy a new headgasket.

 

^ to add to that...did you get new head bolts? Or did you reuse the old head bolts? That could be the culprit too...the bolts, from what i understand, are good for being torqued once...you might be able to get away with it twice Dunno...just an idea...someone could elaborate more on this...

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by jbs &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote"> Turbo E do you think a warped deck (block) will be saved by a copper sealant enought to where it won't leak? I guess its how far the deck (block) is it from being flat.</TD></TR></TABLE>

you will have to get the head "decked" flast. no amount of copper spray , tire gel, shoe goo or JB weld will help.

keep your fingers crossed.