I have installed a Cometic MLS 88mm x 0.078" Head Gasket to my H22 prelude in an attempt to lower the compression.

My problem is that the car leaks coolant as soon as its started up (big clouds of sweet smelling white smoke when it is rev'd). I have tried to use VHT copper spray on the gasket with no success either. The problem goes away as soon as I re-install the stock OEM gasket.

I have read in earlier posts that the Cometic 0.120" gasket has sealing problems too.

Has anyone had success with using a Cometic 0.078" gasket or thicker???


Modified by jmcclell at 8:10 PM 9/14/2004

 

Anyone?????

 

I installed a .120" cometic gasket on a friends car and it did the same the only reason I can think off is that he was using the factory head bolts.

I just bought a .078" cometic but I have not started the car yet I am running studs.
If this bitch leaks too I will never use cometic gaskets again.


What bolts are you using stock or arp?

 

what are you guys torquing the bolts to?

 

Never heard of that problem. Maybe you could try 2 of the .043" gaskets together in order to drop your c/r.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by earl &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Never heard of that problem. Maybe you could try 2 of the .043" gaskets together in order to drop your c/r.</TD></TR></TABLE>

did you just tell him to stack up 2 headgaskets?...

 

I am running stock bolts.

I cannot see how using ARP bolts will help, as the clamping force should be the same. As you all know, the CF is determined by the torque and the thread friction co-efficient.

A higher clamping force will cause the bores to warp anyway. ARP bolts are used because they are supposed to be stronger than stock with a longer "elastic" range and less likely to fail or enter its "plastic" range under load.

Anyone else agree???

Mr T: I torque mine to 72 lbf / 100 NM (standard torque)

DRAGLS: Have you run your car with the 0.078" gasket yet???? Does it work ok??




Modified by jmcclell at 12:15 AM 9/16/2004

 

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

I just bought a .078" cometic but I have not started the car yet I am running studs.
If this bitch leaks too I will never use cometic gaskets again.</TD></TR></TABLE>


No I have not!

 

Right then. Please let me know when you do.

In the mean time, I am in the process of inserting the middle layer of the cometic gasket into a stock OEM gasket. I have used copper spray to adhere the two OEM outer layers to the Cometic steel shim.

If this does not work, I will have to remove my JE pistons and get the top of them machined to bring the compression down. I get the feeling this is going to be the only way to make it work.

 

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

did you just tell him to stack up 2 headgaskets?...</TD></TR></TABLE>Why, you don't think that would work?

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by earl &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Why, you don't think that would work?</TD></TR></TABLE>


well i've never tried it, but it just seems kind of ghetto.will it seal right or do you add mayonaise for reassurance?

 

I think you guys need to use more torque . i have done some b series blocks with ARPS to 85 ft lbs .... with no problems ..... and the h22 has a larger bolt diameter then the b series motors and i have done h22 bolts to about 80 ft lbs with no problems . so you could go to at least 85 if you wanted ....

 

Yep I agree... Make sure you lube the threads too....

 

Ok, I will try the higher torque setting and see what happens.
Nearly finished making the new gasket.

EDIT: I have decided to stick to the standard 100NM torque settings. Thanks for your advice EARL

Will let u know...


Modified by jmcclell at 3:53 AM 9/17/2004

 

You really don't want to try that much torque using bolts. Might be ok with studs or you might warp the head. You can't just say well 80 is good so 85 must be better.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by jmcclell &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">
My problem is that the car leaks coolant as soon as its started up (big clouds of sweet smelling white smoke when it is rev'd). I have tried to use VHT copper spray on the gasket with no success either. The problem goes away as soon as I re-install the stock OEM gasket.

Has anyone had success with using a Cometic 0.078" gasket or thicker???
</TD></TR></TABLE>

Sometimes the rivets on a cometic will hold up the head,make sure they're not doing that...remove them(its ok to do so)

btw...my D16Y with a .078 cometic has 8000 miles on it and has seen 20psi of boost so far with no problems.
&lt;--**knocks on wood*

 

I see light at the end of the tunnel....

Its good to hear a success story from D-Man.


Thanx

 

I am not saying 85 is better then 80 just that I've done some engines with it that high ... also Golden Eagle directions that come with there sleeved blocks say that 80 to 85 ft lbs with studs is ok but do it at your own risk ... you could strip the threads out if you go to tight with them . I would have not gone that high if it was not recommended by GE. Definitely seems a little scary . Hope it works for you this time around .

 

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


well i've never tried it, but it just seems kind of ghetto.will it seal right or do you add mayonaise for reassurance?</TD></TR></TABLE>

if you pop the rivets out and rivet the 2 together it works...but still kinda ghetto...

 

I just change to a Cometic .078 on my D16Z6 I have boosted to 14psi with success so far. Torque my ARP's to 75ftlbs.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Mpir3 &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">

if you pop the rivets out and rivet the 2 together it works...but still kinda ghetto...</TD></TR></TABLE>


you'd think w/ all the money wasted on headgaskets that the guy would just buy lower compression pistons.

 

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


you'd think w/ all the money wasted on headgaskets that the guy would just buy lower compression pistons. </TD></TR></TABLE>

&lt;-------- lol hangs head in shame

He does have an h22, its not like he can just throw a set of forged pistons in though...

 

bump because I'm thinking about buying this headgasket myself

 

my friend had one leak at 18 psi, went with a stock one

 

hey watch out you don't want a really thick headgasket...don't forget about your timing.