Head gasket question

[littlewhitedsm]

My car over heated I let it cool and filled it back up. it started blowing coolant through my over flow and over heating. I researched and found after checking everything that it might be my head gasket. so I took out my plugs and look at the top of the pistons and could see a little water beaded on the top of one of my pistons. so I took my head off and my question is. am i going to be able to see a problem with the gasket? or will it look fine? cause mine looks ok but I'am sure its not.

 

[playitlouddsm]

Is this a stock hg? Look around the cooling jacket ports and the cylinders to see if there are any signs of failure.

 

[fwdeclipse]

Try posting a pic of it so someone can see if they notice any bad spots.

 

[blackGSX2g]

When my stock one blew it was pretty obvious. Compression was perfect across the board, no oil/coolant mixing, but I had the same symptoms as you. Look for any abnormalities or burnt/black spots on it.

This is where mine blew out:

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[littlewhitedsm]

Hey thanks guys i see now where the bad spot it. I dont know if i need to post a new thread but what would you guys recomend for a replacment?

 

[hereitcomes]

To make sure that you will never have a HG problem again...purchase a Mitsubishi MLS Multilayer Gasket. If you get the DSM account discount its about $70. You can reuse it, and it is good for around 35lbs of boost. ingenious.

 

[fwdeclipse]

To make sure that you will never have a HG problem again...purchase a Mitsubishi MLS Multilayer Gasket. If you get the DSM account discount its about $70. You can reuse it, and it is good for around 35lbs of boost. ingenious.

If you use this gasket dont you basically have to have a perfect mirror finish on the head and block for it to seal?Correct me if im wrong just want the OP to know that.

 

[blackGSX2g]

For any metal headgasket both surfaces should be mirror finish. Many machine shops charge extra to machine the head surface for a metal head gasket, but it is necessary. That being said, I've seen many people get away with just putting a perfect surface on the head while cleaning up the deck surface with a razor blade and fine grit sandpaper.

Depending on your future plans for the car, I'd stick with the stock composite gasket (or Felpro composite) and a good set of ARP head studs.

 

[drivemusicnow]

The other, more expensive typically, option is to O-ring the block and use a cheap gasket. The o rings will hold the seal, and if you do blow a headgasket, you have the cheap fel-pro option.

 

[littlewhitedsm]

I found a place that sells a cometic gasket. they call it the hp version and say HP version, not the less expesive version. The HP version features a built-in O-ring. Be aware that some shops offer the lower cost version of this gasket without the built in o-rings and sell it at what looks like a good price. Be sure and get the HP version of this gasket for best results. so would this be my best bet?