replacing head gasket

[Wicked91rttt]

is it nessecary to resurface the head when u replace the head gasket?

 

[marcmsj]

kind of like asking if it's necessary to wash under your armpits in the shower...

you don't HAVE to... but you'd be stupid not to.

 

[dheath]

 

[Defiant]

Well.... this isn't going to set well with real mechanics.

We -the guys I used to run with, most of whom had experience with engines like you guys think I have now- realized back in our Datsun days that every last damned head we ever pulled off an L-motor came up crooked, and "needed" surfacing. On a Datsun head, that also meant you should shim and true the camshaft towers, even though the cams turned just fine with no binding in the "untrue" head as it came off the motor.
So one of the fellow got brave and risked doing an engine without cutting the head.
No one ever cut one after that, so long as the engine hadn't been overheated (which was usually more damage than flycutting could fix anyway).
Aluminum begins to go plastic around 400°F. You'll probably never find a "straight" head taken off a used motor.
We were not gentle with engines. We also had remarkably little trouble with them, once rebuilt.

So there's another fascinating story from out in the real world. Use it as you will.

 

[Coup D E'Tat]

I have friends that haven't had any resurfaced, and are running MLS and Cometic head gaskets with no problems.

I am running an MLS with ARP's, no signs of any problems yet.