95GSTpeach
Probationary Member
- 17
- 0
- Aug 16, 2006
-
Colorado Spring,
Colorado
Let me start by saying that I have searched everywhere trying to find the info that I am after, but to no avail.
Quick back-story: My timing belt broke on April 15th while cranking the engine to test out my new cooling system, and took out 1 intake valve, 3 exhaust valves, and both of my camshafts (how it ruined them, I am unsure). I purchased a set of BC280 cams, BC springs and titanium retainers, Ferrea 6000 series valves, ferrea stem seals, Greddy t-belt, OEM 6bolt tensioner, tensioner pulley, and idler pulley, and a Cometic 85.5mm (.051" thick) head gasket.
I figured that since my current 1g head was labeled as "new" by a sharpie when I purchased it, that it had never been milled before and would have plenty of material left after removing the .004" of warpage that was present. After sending the head off to an engine machine shop up in Denver (Spit Fire Performance) to have it milled, I was told that it was now at it's minimum thickness, even though they only took off .004" of material.
Now, onto my question:
I am worried that if I were to use the Cometic gasket with the 280 cams and the smaller head height, that I will have another case of Piston vs. Valve upon the first start up once the installation is completed. I have talked to a number of people, including the shop that did the machine work for me, and they all said that I will need to use a thicker head gasket in order to give everything enough clearance. Now, while I completely understand the logic behind a thicker gasket, I do not know the exact size that I will need (hence why I am asking this question). I was looking into either an HKS or Greddy, but as far as I know, the thickest that either of them can go is 1.6mm/2.0mm.
So, what I am mainly wondering is if anyone here would know which thickness of gasket I should use? I would greatly appreciate any help that anyone is willing to offer!
I apologize for writing such a novel of a question, and thank you for your time.
-Clark
P.s. I do have a couple pictures of the fresh head surface, but won't have a chance to upload them until I am home from work this evening.
Quick back-story: My timing belt broke on April 15th while cranking the engine to test out my new cooling system, and took out 1 intake valve, 3 exhaust valves, and both of my camshafts (how it ruined them, I am unsure). I purchased a set of BC280 cams, BC springs and titanium retainers, Ferrea 6000 series valves, ferrea stem seals, Greddy t-belt, OEM 6bolt tensioner, tensioner pulley, and idler pulley, and a Cometic 85.5mm (.051" thick) head gasket.
I figured that since my current 1g head was labeled as "new" by a sharpie when I purchased it, that it had never been milled before and would have plenty of material left after removing the .004" of warpage that was present. After sending the head off to an engine machine shop up in Denver (Spit Fire Performance) to have it milled, I was told that it was now at it's minimum thickness, even though they only took off .004" of material.
Now, onto my question:
I am worried that if I were to use the Cometic gasket with the 280 cams and the smaller head height, that I will have another case of Piston vs. Valve upon the first start up once the installation is completed. I have talked to a number of people, including the shop that did the machine work for me, and they all said that I will need to use a thicker head gasket in order to give everything enough clearance. Now, while I completely understand the logic behind a thicker gasket, I do not know the exact size that I will need (hence why I am asking this question). I was looking into either an HKS or Greddy, but as far as I know, the thickest that either of them can go is 1.6mm/2.0mm.
So, what I am mainly wondering is if anyone here would know which thickness of gasket I should use? I would greatly appreciate any help that anyone is willing to offer!
I apologize for writing such a novel of a question, and thank you for your time.
-Clark
P.s. I do have a couple pictures of the fresh head surface, but won't have a chance to upload them until I am home from work this evening.
