Beware of new GM multilayer head gaskets!!!
Beware of new GM multilayer head gaskets!!! They will only work with 02 heads.
I just found out the hard way. Had the engine out after several problems(blown head gaskets,crank pulley spinning,broken piston ring lands, and rod bearings being beat up) I pulled the engine and completely disassembled. Had a keyway cut in the crank. Installed new main bearings. Installed hardened rod bearings. Installed Kaytech stronger rod bolts. Installed ARP head studs and used the new multilayer head gaskets. reassembled the engine and reinstalled in the car. Once every thing was hooked up, filled up the cooling system. After about a minute I started seeing drips of coolant on the ground. There was coolant coming from both heads. Installed cooling system pressure tester. Pressurized the system and found both head gaskets leaking. Removed the engine again. Removed the heads. Found the heads have a notch cut in them on the lower edge towards the front of the head. The new head gaskets don't seal that area so coolant just has a free path to come out. It was leaking coolant and I didn't even start the car yet..
I would assume the 2002 heads don't have that notch.
So beware of using those gaskets on anything other than an 02.
<small>[ April 09, 2002, 10:21 AM: Message edited by: Pro Stock John ]</small>
I just found out the hard way. Had the engine out after several problems(blown head gaskets,crank pulley spinning,broken piston ring lands, and rod bearings being beat up) I pulled the engine and completely disassembled. Had a keyway cut in the crank. Installed new main bearings. Installed hardened rod bearings. Installed Kaytech stronger rod bolts. Installed ARP head studs and used the new multilayer head gaskets. reassembled the engine and reinstalled in the car. Once every thing was hooked up, filled up the cooling system. After about a minute I started seeing drips of coolant on the ground. There was coolant coming from both heads. Installed cooling system pressure tester. Pressurized the system and found both head gaskets leaking. Removed the engine again. Removed the heads. Found the heads have a notch cut in them on the lower edge towards the front of the head. The new head gaskets don't seal that area so coolant just has a free path to come out. It was leaking coolant and I didn't even start the car yet..
I would assume the 2002 heads don't have that notch.
So beware of using those gaskets on anything other than an 02.
<small>[ April 09, 2002, 10:21 AM: Message edited by: Pro Stock John ]</small>
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Re: Beware of new GM multilayer head gaskets!!! WOW!!! THis is big!! The dealer told me they had different gasket numbers for different year ls1s.....maybe that's why. Amyone else had this problem with te new style gaskets?
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Re: Beware of new GM multilayer head gaskets!!! 30thTA346, could those gaskets fit 2001-2002?
That would seem more likely, your car is a 2000 right? <img border="0" title="" alt="[Roll Eyes]" src="images/icons/rolleyes.gif" />
That would seem more likely, your car is a 2000 right? <img border="0" title="" alt="[Roll Eyes]" src="images/icons/rolleyes.gif" />
Re: Beware of new GM multilayer head gaskets!!! Was there any machining done on the heads?
The heads havent't changed from a deck surface perspective. There must be something up with your heads.
Infact, i've got my stock 2000 heads here to take pictures of.
and what heads are they?
The heads havent't changed from a deck surface perspective. There must be something up with your heads.
Infact, i've got my stock 2000 heads here to take pictures of.
and what heads are they?
Re: Beware of new GM multilayer head gaskets!!! Is there an advantage to using the newer gaskets over the lead ones? GM says to use the new style with 02s only and use the older ones with the 97-01 cars.
Brad
Brad
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Re: Beware of new GM multilayer head gaskets!!! </font><blockquote><font size="1" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">quote:</font><hr /><font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">Originally posted by 30thta436:
<strong>Installed hardened rod bearings.</strong></font><hr /></blockquote><font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">What is THAT???
I'm not aware of those... Please enlighten.
SC
<strong>Installed hardened rod bearings.</strong></font><hr /></blockquote><font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">What is THAT???
I'm not aware of those... Please enlighten.
SC
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Re: Beware of new GM multilayer head gaskets!!! I don't think you all are talking about the same head gaskets as me. I have three sets of stock heads 2 are 99 heads 1 is 2000 heads. All 6 heads have a notch cut into them were you would maybe pry the head off, Or maybe to remove head from mold. There is no left and right side on these gaskets. It says front on both sides of the head gasket.
There was no machine work done on any of the heads.
The hardened rod bearings are clevite performance bearings. They are supposed to help resist the damage to the bearing half in the rod. I think they are heat treated.
I have pictures if somebody can host them for me.
There was no machine work done on any of the heads.
The hardened rod bearings are clevite performance bearings. They are supposed to help resist the damage to the bearing half in the rod. I think they are heat treated.
I have pictures if somebody can host them for me.
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Re: Beware of new GM multilayer head gaskets!!! I have used the multi steel gaskets on 5 installs...no reported problems with different year heads/blocks, there is a L and R part # to the gasket so beware. The one install of 1999 heads with 2002 gaskets went 10.74 so I don't think we are seeing this problem....Yet?
BTW, I will buy those tripple gaskets from you if you don't want them.
BTW, I will buy those tripple gaskets from you if you don't want them.
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Re: Beware of new GM multilayer head gaskets!!! I agree with JPR, I have prolly done about 5 installs using the new 02 head gaskets, and have yet to come across any problems with them.
Also this was on all different model years.....Sounds like something else is going on in your case.
Also this was on all different model years.....Sounds like something else is going on in your case.
Re: Beware of new GM multilayer head gaskets!!! I get Automotive Engine Rebuilder magazine and they state that the machined surfaces of the heads and the block have to be extra smooth when using MLS type gaskets. They are more forgiving for movement, but they need a surface on this engine to be 30 RA or smoother. Those gaskets dont isolate the coolant passages like the lead ones do.
Brad
Brad
Re: Beware of new GM multilayer head gaskets!!! Thanks for hosting those chris.
Head gasket pic 1 shows both head gaskets. In head gasket pic 2 I flip the lower gasket over.
You can see that it says front on both sides of the head gasket. There is no left and right one.
If you look at the notch in the head and at the raised rubber part of the head gasket, you will see that the notch is wider than the rubber of the gasket.
Head gasket pic 1 shows both head gaskets. In head gasket pic 2 I flip the lower gasket over.
You can see that it says front on both sides of the head gasket. There is no left and right one.
If you look at the notch in the head and at the raised rubber part of the head gasket, you will see that the notch is wider than the rubber of the gasket.
Re: Beware of new GM multilayer head gaskets!!! hmmm
There is no notch in my 2000 heads
http://harlan.sketchy.net/teardown/107-0715_IMG.JPG
and the 6.0L gaskets look the same
http://harlan.sketchy.net/gaskets/
There is no notch in my 2000 heads
http://harlan.sketchy.net/teardown/107-0715_IMG.JPG
and the 6.0L gaskets look the same
http://harlan.sketchy.net/gaskets/
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Re: Beware of new GM multilayer head gaskets!!! I've got a set of 98 ARE-prepped s1 heads downstairs with that same notch cut. Weird... Looks like I'll be needing those older gaskets.
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Re: Beware of new GM multilayer head gaskets!!! the notch you are referring to is the "thumbnail". It is a witness cast into heads to show how much is off them.Just measured it on some heads here and it is .090" deep. Seems that only older heads have it....
<small>[ April 09, 2002, 07:05 AM: Message edited by: HOWQUICK ]</small>
<small>[ April 09, 2002, 07:05 AM: Message edited by: HOWQUICK ]</small>