tackling my first head gasket...HELP

[Lenn620]

whats up all... i am new to the turbo world, i have a 90 tsi awd and i am tackling my first head gasket in it. (18psi doesnt work with the stocker i guess). two things i need help with, one is some general advise and "be awares" and the other is i am puting in a copper .062" gasket and people have told me i should o-ring the block. what does that do and y do people make it sound so important? any help will be greatly appreciated

 

[NitrousBob]

Dont waste your time doing o-ring. Buy a better head gasket. Cometics are great.

 

[!^3]

First, do not use your old head bolts. Go spend the measely $100 on some ARP studs. This will help your car handle the boost. Next, talk to a trusted machinist about cleaning up your block/head before putting them back together.

The Cometics are great, but maybe require a better finish than what is available to someone cleaning up a block that is in the car vs. being able to have it decked in a shop (and I doubt you want to remove the motor to do this). I'd recommend the Mitsubishi MLS 4layer headgasket. They are $90 from just about anywhere.

Torque it down good and turn up the boost

 

[pneumo]

You might want to spend some time finding out why the stock gasket blew at only 18 psi. Stock headgaskets on a well tuned motor have been known to handle up to 25 psi.