Good head gasket for my Ka-T?

[GoldenLeg]

Stock one is about to go. Looking to upgrade but not sure what the 240 world favors as far as head gaskets.

[Florida240sx]

Next time I beleive I'm going with a felpro. My cosmetic has given me problems....

[PapaSmurf2k3]

when I asked this question a couple years ago, I was told that stock should be good to like 375whp or something. I went stock.

[wild_maxx]

Next time I beleive I'm going with a felpro. My cosmetic has given me problems....

Did you resurface the block and head along with the upper and lower timing covers? They all need to be resurfaced together (lower timing cover bolted to block, upper timing cover bolted to head) for a flat surface.

BTW its Cometic

[GoldenLeg]

Next time I beleive I'm going with a felpro. My cosmetic has given me problems....

Good input. I was leaning towards the cometic one but I dont want to have to re-tune my car since I just did that like a week ago.

when I asked this question a couple years ago, I was told that stock should be good to like 375whp or something. I went stock.

I might just go ahead and do that. Are you still running that same gasket? If so... how's it holding up?

[PapaSmurf2k3]

well, there are maybe 1000 miles on it, but its holding up good! I'll let you know exactly whats up when I fly back home in August.I'd say if you are using stock rods, you might as well use a stock HG.

[GoldenLeg]

well, there are maybe 1000 miles on it, but its holding up good! I'll let you know exactly whats up when I fly back home in August.I'd say if you are using stock rods, you might as well use a stock HG.

Cool...thanks. I'm going to go ahead and replace it this weekend with a stock one. The one on mine is probally the original one and it lasted through about 10,000miles of boost.

[ka24detsx]

the stock HG has been proven to over 500whp several times. I've been running one for months and will continue to do it. The cometic has shown its flaws and I had the same issue which is why I went back to stock. hit up http://www.ka-t.org and search around. theyve got tons of useful info

[nissanfanatic]

I use a cometic. I did not resurface my head/block. If you go with the cometic, just clean the head/block very well and spray a couple coats of copper RTV spray on the gasket.

Stock is also a good choice.

[PapaSmurf2k3]

yeah I resurfaced my head and block as well, Definately get the head resurfaced.

[Florida240sx]

Yes it was resurfaced. The leak was on the number 2 cylinder front valve exhaust...I liek to call coSmetic because it is a co****metic gasket IMO lol just had bad luck that's all. Hope I didn't blow the HG in this engine I just put in thermostat stuck on me today....

[tufortesx]

imo I think there are a few major steps that are often overlooked when doing a HG, 1. making sure to follow the torque specs and sequence for bolting a head back on 2. Not being in a rush or being too cheap its saves a lot of stress if you just send the head to get milled and pressure tested. and 3. replacing the head bolts because honestly as much as we need the engine to maintain a tight seal it would be a worthy cause to spend a few bucks on the bolts that hold it together. Just my 2 pennies

[nissanfanatic]

I did NOT resuface.I REUSED stock head bolts.

Mine is holding fine. As long as you check the head for straightness, spray copper spray a gasket, and clean the surfaces well, you should be fine..

[tufortesx]

Thats cool that it worked out for you. Nothing worse that doing all that work and not notice a hairline crack or a warped head. I guess to each their own. I'd rather do things the right way.

[rotorimp]

It is all about sealing and clamping force---I used arp for more consistant torque and we also went with cometic (head,block,front covers re surfaced). I have gotten away with doing things cheaply and driven the car long enough to regret it. Do it right the first time!!!

[nissanfanatic]

The right way=it works.

[sunnys14]

stock + arp head studs is the best way to go if you didnt resurface your head and deck your block

[Chezedik]

I think if I do an HG again, it will be stock. These Cometics suck to have leak after all of that.

[nissanfanatic]

Cometics don't suck. User error is the cause of their malfunction.. They aren't going to seal if your head or block looks like a Ruffles chip..

[WDRacing]

Cometics don't suck. User error is the cause of their malfunction.. They aren't going to seal if your head or block looks like a Ruffles chip..

HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA...

I've used stock, Cometic, HKS multi layered and Felpro on various motors. ALL of which have worked just fine for me. I only used the spray on sealant onc when I reused a HKS HG after I popped a piston.

Scotch bright pads are your friend. I also used a drill with a wire wheel. My head and block were sparkling when I put the two together every time and I haven't had an issue yet.

PS, I actually would prefer a HG to be the weakest link in the chain. They are far cheaper and easier to change then broken rods or pistons.

WD

[Chezedik]

Read the ****ing quote Cory, I said that they suck to have leak after you have put it all together.

[nissanfanatic]

And why would they suck if you put it together properly..??

Why don't you read the ****ing instructions upon installation.. It clearly calls for a clean surface with a frictional surface rating of Ra50 or less.. Quit downing **** just because it doesn't work for you especially when other people prove it works.

And your stock HG isn't gonna hold up much better if you have a surface that isn't level/clean. That will only be a weak point for the gasket to blow out at.. Sure, it might hold up to normal driving and moderate power, but ultimately, it will prove to be a flaw and it will fail. Every gasket depends on surface prep and equal, consistent clamping force upon the entire surface of the gasket.

[Chezedik]

Can you read? I said that it sucks to have to do the work properly. ****, do you work there or something? You know, making a ton of horsepower doesn't make you the end all-beat all KADET master. Calm the **** down.

[nissanfanatic]

Can you read? I said that it sucks to have to do the work properly. ****, do you work there or something? You know, making a ton of horsepower doesn't make you the end all-beat all KADET master. Calm the **** down.

Yea I can read. You say it sucks to do the work properly..?? Nice...

Slow your roll buddy...

[nissanfanatic]

when I asked this question a couple years ago, I was told that stock should be good to like 375whp or something. I went stock.

Just to correct this, torque would be the determining factor in when the HG would give out. Cylinder pressure is what causes the failure. Assuming no abnormal conditions, torque is a direct reflection of peak cylinder pressure.. Peak torque means peak cylinder pressure..

I don't think anybody has really proven what it can hold as most people have failures related to poor tuning or abnormal combustion.