Head Resurface

[sjbsuperman1425]

I replaced the head gasket this past February, but now its leaking again. Do I need to resurface the head again when I change this winter, or can I just clean it off and re-install?

[nightsauce]

I replaced the head gasket this past February, but now its leaking again. Do I need to resurface the head again when I change this winter, or can I just clean it off and re-install?

you need to resurface the head. heres a good video

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YVFE0hVcuLs

[OutToWinPAHC]

Theres a reason the gasket leaked to begin with..... yes you need to atleast have it checked.

[sjbsuperman1425]

It is leaking in a spot where I had ARP stud problems, but I'm positive the leaking isn't caused by head out of flatness or block out of flatness. I had it resurfaced the first time because I knew it was the right thing to do, but I'm unsure if Its needed after less than 6 months of driving.

[OutToWinPAHC]

Just have it checked

[sjbsuperman1425]

btw, it wasn't leaking to begin with, I removed the head to have the valves cleaned and all the ports cleaned, so it was never leaking to begin with until after replacement.

[OutToWinPAHC]

Still its been through tons of heat cycles, 30 bucks for peace of mind

[sjbsuperman1425]

how many times can I resurface a head before needing a thicker head gasket though? I have a CA18 btw.

[OutToWinPAHC]

Depends on the piston to valve clearance, timing, and cam. Most NA motors are about 15 thousands. Normally they take 2-3 1000ths off if its close to spec. Im just saying have it checked, even though it never overheated you might have a high spot.

My stock heads were 67cc, the ones I got were 64 CC then I had 14 1000ths milled off for 62CC.

[sjbsuperman1425]

well shoot I can check the flatness with a straight edge and feeler gauge, thats all that you are talking about getting checked correct?

[charat]

just go check it. from your replies, it seems like you just don't want to dish out the money. honestly, i'd rather pay $30 to be sure than take my chances. but if you just don't want to bring it in again, that's your choice.

[alms24sebring]

Yep. You dont want to do the work again. If you have enough time and money to do the work twice, then find it warped, you have enough to do it right the first time.

Also what kind of head stud problem

[sjbsuperman1425]

I have no problem spending the $$ but if I can do some work myself I'm going too. I didn't spend the past 2 yrs in college for nothing. Warpage and flatness can both be checked with a feeler gauge and straight edge correct? I'm thinking it was bad prep work but I'll check everything out for sure, I'm just exploring ideas and thinking out loud in a way.

The head stud problem was I couldn't fit the socket in the head to torque the nuts correctly. The socked rubbed in the head a bit so idk if that played a factor.

[allenms240]

Take it to a shop man.
I highly doubt a feeler gauge and straight edge will help, think about it. It's so small you barely even notice it happens when using scotch brite pad.
Do it right, or do it twice.

[sjbsuperman1425]

it happens when using scotch brite pad? Are you telling me I cheaped out?

Ok listen guys, I've taken the Engine service college courses, i've rebuilt engines in that course and know how to rebuild an engine. What I am not sure of are the machining aspects, like how to machine it, when to machine it. I'm definately not cheap and definately not stupid. Here is a pic of the head when i got it back from the machine shop the during the winter.

[allenms240]

If you used a scotch brite pad,yes that will mess up the surface and cause valleys. The amount to trim off is sooo minute, that the pad alone messes it up. If it hasn't been resurfaces, do so by a machine shop.

[sjbsuperman1425]

well allenms240, I never even heard of someone using a scotch brite pad on a head/block until this thread, so I definately didn't use that..

[nightsauce]

just pay the good man his money and get a resurface.

[OutToWinPAHC]

Feeler gauges will put you in the area, but there is so much surface with such little tolerance.... I would just clean it and have it checked. I am just cautions this way.

[allenms240]

The link nightsauce posted shows someone resurfacing a head because someone used a scotch brite pad, and read the comments on that video also. They explain profits that have been made from people who use scotch brite pads to try and clean off old gasket residue.

But Just take it to a shop, it can only help and does no harm. or...do it twice.

[OM3GA]

If you are set on not resurfacing it/getting it checked then why ask at all. Everyone is going to say do it, so either go with the majority or save your $40.

[sjbsuperman1425]

I'll just check it myself. close thread.