Head gasket change.

It looks like Im going to have to change the head gasket on my 2 1/4 lightweight, a job Ive not done before! I know you should torque the bolts, but I was wondering how crucial this is (will have to invest in a torque wrench if it is)! Should the bolts be changed out also, or can the old ones be reused? And finally, should the gasket be put on dry, or with sealer? Im reading comments both ways.
Any input from experience would be most appreciated.

Golly...what a dilemna! Either invest £15 in a torque wrench or risk engine failure further down the line.

You decide.

Re the gasket, i never use a sealant, in my opinion it just creates problems, gasket doesn't seem to sit even...its like having 3 layers if you have sealant/gasket/sealant..and 3 things cause more problems than 1 in my opinion..

ALWAYS use a torque wrench.
ALWAYS use new bolts, as they will probably have stretched.
ALWAYS use the gasket on it's own. It is how it was designed to be used.

martin1512 said:

ALWAYS use a torque wrench.
ALWAYS use new bolts, as they will probably have stretched.
ALWAYS use the gasket on it's own. It is how it was designed to be used.

Click to expand...

Or don't do any of that and look forward to the messyness that will ensue.

Do you really need new bolts and does it matter if they've stretched? I know a lot of modern engines need new bolts 'cos the deformation of the bolt is part of the torquing up procedure, but a series engine?

You need to torque to the appropriate settings to get a good seal. Then after 500 miles, recheck them!

Have you tried Steel Seal before? Its very good for repairing broken head gaskets and is only 30 quid instead of paying loads to replace it

hows that cheaper or better than a £10 gasket

you do not need to fit new bolts, this was never done until the aloy heads came in, this is a fiftys motor just fit a new gasget

Don’t dick around with sealants and miracle goo.
Get a head gasket kit £10 to £15
The only new bolts needed would be two “mod bolts” of the shorter head bolts with the heads ground off and a slot cut in both ends (One slot to use with a screwdriver and the other slot to clean the threads.)
Un bolt head
De coke head (Careful not to get anything down the cylinders).
Clean out threads with mod bolts.
Screw in mod bolts and drop on new head gasket.
Drop on head and screw in a couple of head bolts before removing mod bolts.
Put it all back using a Torque wrench.
Drive 500 miles and re torque it down again.