so i installed skunk2 valve train, and install new cometic gasket, re used my arp head stud on my b16a 2 weeks ago.
well, i talk to arp tech support, he told me with molly i should tq to 70lbs, so

i reassemble all that 2 weeks ago, use lucas assemble grease(green) and tq down to 72lbs. well, start up was fine, and got it running good, have to readjust the valves few times, but the weather was very cold so i couldn't see if its really smoking or just cold outside, engine run great, lot of power.
well other day, weather warm up, and i relize i was smoking on idle and when i rev it up it still smoking and thicker, is pure white smoke. checked my coolant level, i lost a bit.

talk to few ppl, that they told me i should spray a copper spry on the gasket before using it.
but cometic said install them dry...
then i talk to a friend that he have a problem having it seal, so he re tq to 82 and it went away, so i tq at 82, and then it didn't smoke anymore during warm up, but once warm up, is a lite smoke, not heavy but is there. and rev it up, it got heavy for sec then smoke went away.

i don't know what to do with this cometic gasket, i don't know i should just pull head off copper spray it and reinstall, since cometic is reuseable, but also i tq to 82, so i would have to tq at 82?

second choice i thinking is to take the cometic out and get a oem 3 layer.
i heard oem metal handle boost very well(NOT boosting yet, but later i will) now ppl talking about oem, like the one of honda dealership? or just a oem style off oreileys/autozone... thx

 

It sounds like your having a sealing issue, either improperly torqued studs (calibrate your torque wrench, or threads aren't clean and lubed well) or the head or block isn't straight (might need to resurface the head or deck the block). I've never had a problem with Cometic, Felpro or OEM headgaskets, as long as both the head and block surfaces are clean and straight and the stud threads are clean and lubed and torqued properly. The Felpro headgaskets I've purchased recently from Autozone come with a blue coating, helps make a good seal.

 

the surface are clean, i didn't have machine shop to resurface the head, they just clean it, and re seat the valves. engine have no smoke and running good when i pull off the head. all compresson are great.

i m trying to think if i gonna reuse the cometic or not, since is only 3 weeks old, but i gonna pull the head off and pull the arp out and reclean everything, double check everything before reinstall, what u guys think about reuse the cometic with copper spray? i hate to drop another 100 for cometic, but i thinking about going with oreiley 50bucks metal gasket, my friend boost his and don't have any problem, no resurfacing or anything.
so either way i gonna use some of that copper spray on the gasket for sure, just incase.

 

Did the machine shop say they didnt need to resurface the head? or did you just not ask?

Definitely sounds like sealing problems, I would get the head resurfaced if I was you.
I've got ARP's and torqued to 82. I'm using a buddyclub 0.5mm 2 layer HG and its sweet

 

i sent the head to machine shop to install the skunk2 pro series valves, valves spring and ti retainer, they seated the valves for me and installed it, he said he clean up the surface for me, and the head look fine, but i don't know he actually check the surface or what, but anyway, so how much is that buddy club??, i hate to throw this cometic away 3 weeks old, but i tq at 82, and smoke a lot less, but still there.

i thinking about just get a 3layer gasket from oreiley or autozone, becuz i will be pulling the head off and build the bottom end at the end of this year.
what about copper spray?? should i use it?

 

did u retorque the head while it was hot??

 

i had the same problem with my cometic gasket as well...paid 120 for it and ended up buying a new one. wasted 120 ! and yes it was brand new

 

No I did re tq when hot, really what is the right when to
do with arp head stud?

 

Suppose to torque when engine is cold, just like how you're suppose to do a valve adjustment when motor is cold.

 

people knock me for copper spraying my head gasket, but hey... better safe than sorry! i did it to mine for the added sealing insurance...




COPPER SPRAY FTW