Which head gasket do I use?

[NOSLO2PT0]

I've got all the symptoms of a blown head gasket. Within the next week or so, I want to pull the head and change it. I'm looking to be able to hold 29-30psi on the Green, just until next year, when the 2.3L goes in. I'd just like to see how quick I can get the Green to go on the 2.0L motor.

Question is...which HG do I use? I've got a Mitsu metal unit in there now. 157k miles on the stock block, never even checked for warpage (I know, I know). Everything held up fine at 25psi. Not a drop of coolant. Cranked it up to 29psi and now it spits coolant out like crazy. I don't plan on decking this block at all since it's only gonna be in the car until the 2.3L goes in.

For reference, back when I ran my stock 7 bolt, I torqued my 7 bolt head studs to 100 ft-lbs on moly and ran 11.3 @ 124.5, on a stock mitsu HG, without pushing a drop of coolant. It actually pushed some coolant slightly on the dyno when at 85 ft-lbs. So I retorqued it after the dyno to 100 and it never pushed again.

Looking at that, Rich went a good deal quicker than me (11.50@119) on a stock composite HG. Think I'd be better off going with a stocker vs. metal since my block is untouched? Will it withstand 29-30psi with ARP's?? I'm just scratching my head here trying to decide what HG to actually use. I only want to change this HG once this summer.

Thanks,
Mike

 

[Groomz]

I feel like you've sold me on going stock w/ ARPs and lots of torquing down. I'm thinking that on a block thats not decked, maybe the metal HG cannot seal as well. Couldn't hurt to try the factory w/ the ARPs, and if it pushes coolant, time to speed up the 2.3L swap.

 

[2gTurboS]

They will all hold. In the advanced engine forum thier is a head gasket discussion. I have never read about one that always failed and I have also never read about one has always worked. I would choose the stocker though.

 

[RipperXX]

It would make since that the composet HG would seal better on an uneven plane vs a metal HG..

if both HG's were used on a properly prepaired head & block I would think the metal HG would hold better though.

 

[2gTurboS]

The metal might, but stock has seen over 600 to the wheels. That is way more than your average DSM.

 

[NOSLO2PT0]

Who's put down 600 to the ground on a stock HG? Gotta know him since there aren't that many 600whp DSM's running around.

 

[TRBOTSI]

I put 500 whp down on a stocker w/ ARP's. It's a 60-1 at 31 psi for reference. I would never use a metal HG unless you're starting with two fresh surfaces. Use a stock HG and drive it on.

 

[Amar1995]

Use a mitsu metal head gasket and permatex brand copper gasket spray. Works great Check my mod list I am probably running a similar setup to you. Good luck

 

[2gTurboS]

GrocMax
DSMtuners Member
Car: Galant VR-4
From: Texas,US
Registered: Jul 2002
Currently Offline


Post :
09-18-2003 03:17 AM

Just for a point of referance I know of one car that was assembled almost 2 years ago, lots of miles, lots of passes, and did 600+ HP on the dyno with juice, and has never had any issues at all with the Mitsu MLS. Valve cover has never been off since assembly.

But, that engine was very meticulously assembled.

_____________________________

Ok I was wrong, at least I admit it. If you don't know whos car it is now shame on you. It was a Mitsu gasket though, just not the stocker.

 

[NOSLO2PT0]

That's the metal MLS gasket, not the stock composite. My mind is made up, I'm going with the MLS.

 

[2gTurboS]

Yeah I know its not stock, thats why I said I was wrong. I said it is a Mitsu gasket though, thats all. After hours of research on the topic if you do use the MLS make sure both surfaces are very very smooth. It will not seal otherwise.