Can I run a Composite head gasket with a Surfaced head?

[krummel21]

I blew my head gasket a year and a half ago. The head was surfaced and all I know is that it is now right above the minimum head thickness allowed by Mitsubishi. I ran an MLS for the extra height but had bad luck and the coolant pushed on me. I would rather run the Composite just because it's more forgiving (seal better) and I don't want to replace another head gasket.

With that much being surfaced off and my current setup can I still use a composite head gasket?

Thanks

 

[1990AWD]

as long as the head is within spec on warpage you'll be just fine.

 

[krummel21]

I guess my biggest concern was valve clearance is that not really an issue I need to worry about?

 

[1990AWD]

Nope, unless you've had a ridiculous amount shaved off. The head I put on my other car had like .014" shaved off in it's lifetime and it was still good.

 

[hotrodssnova]

The specs in the book take into account valve clearance. Thats why when you go beyond specs, you need to clay the pistons and mock up the head and valves to check your clearances. Anything beyond specs with these engines needs to be checked and double measured. They are called interference engines for a reason.

 

[krummel21]

Well that helps me out a lot thank you. Do you see any problem running 29 psi and the head gasket holding up?

 

[Gstclipse69]

The composite will seal up better and as stated as long as the head is still within the factory service limit then you will be fine. 29 psi and the stock headgasket will be at its limit. It can be done and I've seen people run 30 psi and such on stock headgaskets. Just be sure to have a good set of ARP head studs.

 

[motozachl]

Typically you should only run a metal HG if both block and head was resurfaced, most likely the reason it failed on you.

 

[gringo72884]

The amount of boost you run isn't so much the limiting factor in terms of which headgasket you use, it is the tune and headstuds you use that are most important. You can run a composite OEM headgasket to 30psi with no issues as long as you tune is good (no detonation). The reason people suggest not running composite headgaskets at high boost levels is because they are much less forgiving if there is any detonation. You will be fine running high boost on the composite HG as long as your head and block surfaces are flat, you use a minimum of ARP headstuds, copper spray and properly torque the head studs in sequence, steps and heat cycle them.