Replacing head gaskets- Whats the best gasket & what else to change whilst I'm there?

Grrrrrr · Sep 26, 2021

Yes, it does.

[Taking it up a level and replying to a question from 2025].

pwood999 · Sep 27, 2021

kermit_rr said:
On topic, there's no chance I'm spending £30 per arp stud when i can buy a set of standard bolts for £10

You're look at the wrong supplier. Try http://www.realsteel.co.uk/section1.pdf P38 needs 20 bolt kit.

kermit_rr · Sep 27, 2021

pwood999 said:
You're look at the wrong supplier. Try http://www.realsteel.co.uk/section1.pdf P38 needs 20 bolt kit.

View attachment 248956

£8/stud is still a lot but much better! I've read mixed reviews though with some people saying they wish they had stuck with normal stretch bolts

Grrrrrr · Sep 27, 2021

kermit_rr said:
£8/stud is still a lot but much better! I've read mixed reviews though with some people saying they wish they had stuck with normal stretch bolts

I seem to recall when we did MrGorsky's that most bolts needed a breaker bar to undo but a few were surprisingly easy to undo. However, the heads were as straight as an engineer's rule.

kermit_rr · Sep 27, 2021

Grrrrrr said:
I seem to recall when we did MrGorsky's that most bolts needed a breaker bar to undo but a few were surprisingly easy to undo. However, the heads were as straight as an engineer's rule.

Be interesting to see what i find when i get this leaky head off

pwood999 · Sep 27, 2021

When the heads are off, check the threads in the block for looseness or wobble in the bolts. In my case the previous owner (or his garage) had clearly tried to fix a warped head & gasket issue by overtightening. 40% of them needed helicoils so I got them all done.

ARP studs are simply easier because you tighten the stud in the block using an allen key, and then apply the ARP greas to the stud threads & washers before doing the torque. They also only require 60-80 ft-lbs so easier to get it right.

kermit_rr · Sep 27, 2021

pwood999 said:
When the heads are off, check the threads in the block for looseness or wobble in the bolts. In my case the previous owner (or his garage) had clearly tried to fix a warped head & gasket issue by overtightening. 40% of them needed helicoils so I got them all done.

ARP studs are simply easier because you tighten the stud in the block using an allen key, and then apply the ARP greas to the stud threads & washers before doing the torque. They also only require 60-80 ft-lbs so easier to get it right.

My original concern was that with the lower torque, studs were less likely to cause a cracked block, as cracks are most often close to the bolts.
No longer sure this is a valid concern

Replacing head gaskets- Whats the best gasket & what else to change whilst I'm there?

Grrrrrr

Technician, Bodgit & Scarper Ltd

pwood999

Well-Known Member

kermit_rr

Very

Grrrrrr

Technician, Bodgit & Scarper Ltd

kermit_rr

Very

pwood999

Well-Known Member

kermit_rr

Very

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