im going to be putting new rings in my usdm spec b18c5 and wanted to bump the compression up with milling the head or getting new pistons. is a single layer head gasket safe to run? if so do i use the top or bottom layer?

 

Do you know your P2V clearance?

 

Get a proper gasket, and pistons to get the best compression and stay safe/reliable.

 

my head has had .030" removed from it and I run a single layer headgasket for the last year, no problems at all on a b18c5. You can use the top or bottom layers of a stock gasket, I sprayed it with a light coat of copper seal for good measure.

 

A single layer gasket would work, but they are mainly used on race engines that will be torn down after a few nights. I would suggest running a full head multi-layered steel head gasket on a street engine. They are less prone to failure and designed to last much longer.

 

How would you explain mine and many other people's that use a single layer headgasket for daily driving without trouble?

 

I never said it wouldn't work, I just said it would be safer to run a mls head gasket. I work in a machine shop that builds race engines all day, I know my facts. There is a reason that OEM manufacturers use mls head gaskets from the factory. It's not because they are cheaper (a single gasket would take less material than a mls gasket and therefore cost less).

 

This is what you said that I have a problem with as it's completely incorrect and simply an opinion. You can't go wrong with the stock 3 layer ever but I have yet to see people have a problem with single layers, or 2 layers and I've been in and around this industry and machine shops for a long time.

There's a reason why manufacterers use stock cams vs what you can buy aftermarket as a performance part....that doesn't make it any more or less reliable. That goes for a lot of OEM vs performance parts.

 

Reread the first statement, it would work. I just said they are mainly used on race engines. The three layer or two layer head gaskets would seal better for a longer period of time because the gaskets are designed to crush and seal around the combustion chamber. You wouldn't have that crush between layers with a single layer head gasket (but that's kind of a given right?). At least you had enough common sense to spray copper sealant on the gasket, that helps the gasket seal.

 

I read it and highlighted it. They aren't mainly just used on race engines and that was my point, they are also not used on OEM applications. So perhaps a 3 layer gasket is designed to last 300-400k? maybe a single layer "could" last that long but no one knows, so to be on the safe side they run a 3 layer? It's all a big guess but to say that a single layer headgasket can only be used in a race engine or something that will be torn down in a few days is just plain incorrect.

 

I never said it should only be used in race engines, I said that that is their general application. Maybe a blanketing statement like that should not have been used. You and other people are examples that they can be used on the street. I'm just arguing that they run a higher risk of failure when compared to a 3-layer or 2-layer gasket. Another key factor in how long the head gasket lasts is how the engine is used and maintained.

 

Sry haven't been back on in a while. My p2v is w/e oem itr motor is. I will be spraying copper seal on both sides to help seal. I was wondering because everyone around here is telling me the gasket will blow very often and not worth the hassle but I have seen ppl using them and last also but Idk how often those motors are torn down. But seems like lot of ppl round my way are just scared and stick to oem.

 

i have to agree w jr integra, the one layer works good for awhile but if u beat up on the motor it is more prone to fail... a buddy of mine's gasket blew on his b18c5 after about 50,000k, but i will state he did not use the copper spray which i told him too... so with that said maybe if he used the spray it would have sealed a little better and lasted longer... he put a two layer on and still runnin strong. u also have to keep in mind the more comp u have the more likely a one layer will blow

 

Try it out and update this thread in a year.

 

They are designed to crush but only so much. There are stoppers built into MLS head gaskets to control the amount they are crushed and allow for expansion/contraction without failure.

It's hard to get too specific without looking at the specific design but head gaskets are the most complex gasket on an automobile. I would find a different way to gain compression and use an unmodified MLS gasket.