Guess what I found on my new 1G....

[Vegas Smith]

The wrong head gasket! In your opinion, do I have to resurface the head if I remove it to change the HG? Are ARPs a must for 400hp and under? Thanks.

You must be logged in to view this image or video.

 

[92AWDHX40]

No you don't have to resurface the hg to do a head gasket. You can always add new a r p studs later.

 

[91stocker]

Arp's are a "why not" kind of thing. They're cheap and you cant reuse stock head bolts anyway. So while you're in there, why not?

 

[2gGst98]

You can check the head to see if it's warped and needs an resurface

You must be logged in to view this image or video.

But about the arp's like 91stocker said why not, they are cheep enough and the head is off any way. I went ahead and got them and iv been on stock boost for 2 years after. I'm only at 182 fwhp if I remember correctly Not for long though.

 

[Vegas Smith]

Hell, the car probably has ARPs anyways. It supposedly has 272s and wisecos etc. Thanks for the advice guys and the video.

 

[pauleyman]

Whats wrong about it? The car is running?

 

[Vegas Smith]

It's difficult to say. It's running but "falls flat on it's face when you get on the throttle" says the DSM shop I took it took to to fix another problem I didn't have the ability to fix. One of the cylinders is misfiring but the car supposedly has a GM MAF and SD sensors hooked up at the same time. So, it's difficult to say what specific problems, if any, the hg is causing.

 

[pauleyman]

Cart before the horse. You dont have any real data

 

[Vegas Smith]

Are you saying I should leave the gasket on?

 

[pauleyman]

Yes. How do you know its "wrong"?

 

[Vegas Smith]

Well, because the pictures show it's wrong. I mean, I guess since the car starts up then it's a good start; no pun intended, but it's clearly not the appropriate hg for the car right? Maybe an evo gasket.

 

[mellow]

i say change the head gasket install arp head suds since they are cheap and your already there and if the head is not warped slap it back together just my .2

 

[mellow]

also did you just get this car ? has it been running for a while ?

 

[Vegas Smith]

I just bought the car outside of Houston. I have no idea how long it's been running. I've only spent a few minutes in it to make a long story short.

 

[91 GSX]

Compression check, leakdown test it

 

[pauleyman]

I cant see from the pics.installed wrong?

 

[TSi-Rocket]

Pauley you can see from the pics that the head gasket is sticking out prob a 1/4" from the surface of the head/block. The pic on the left shows a partially exposed passage I believe this is why the OP is worried. I just checked two of my cars and the head gasket sticks out past the surface in the same spot but their isn't a partially exposed hole under the original turbo feed. One of the cars is low mileage and I'm pretty sure its a factory head gasket.

 

[Kenneth Schlorf]

+1 for compression test! It will help you determine what to do.

 

[GST with PSI]

My recommendation would be not to run the car anymore until you pull the head and see what's going on. That corner is where the oil supply to the head is, and the head gasket seals this port. Your current gasket doesn't look like it does this, which is a serious problem. I'm surprised the car isn't profusely $hitting out oil of that corner. Or is it?

In short, if that port isn't sealed, you lose pressure to the head, cams, rockers, blah, blah, blah...See where this is bad?

You must be logged in to view this image or video.

Bottom line, that's the wrong head gasket. You need to pull the head.

As far as resurfacing, you won't know until you measure it as mentioned above. Measure the deck and head surfaces, and check to verify they are true. If they are, clean them up and throw on a new gasket.

ARP studs aren't required, but most would highly recommend them even for a build under 400hp. They are cheap insurance, and there's really no reason not to install them.



Edit:
I almost wonder if someone put the gasket on upside down? Looking at an old picture of mine, it almost looks like the rear drain port hole is up front on your motor. Honestly, I've never tried to put a head gasket on upside down, so someone school me up if this isn't even possible :

You must be logged in to view this image or video.

 

[92AWDHX40]

Yes fist things first a compression test easy to do and then you can go from there.

 

[Vegas Smith]

Yeah, I'll have to do a compression test. I'll need a head gasket good for 1200hp. Which one? JK

 

[GST with PSI]

I don't think a compression test would show you much unless the head gasket is completely wrong, and the fire rings don't even align with the cylinder bores and head.

I wouldn't even waste my time doing any testing. The gasket is either the wrong one, or it's installed wrong. Both issues can only be corrected by pulling the head. So, pull the head OP. There's no point in testing, IMO. It's clearly wrong.

 

[Vegas Smith]

Shop says they are 100% sure it's an evo hg.

 

[GST with PSI]

What makes them so sure?