dapiper Posted April 14, 2015 Share Posted April 14, 2015 (edited) Changed using Stone gasket with no coatings applied. Did not fire yet, but after a few weeks noticed beads of coolant and block moist. Appears to be leaking at block side interface on both sides of block, but primarily on plug side near middle. Suspected condensate, but weepage stopped after coolant drained. Both head and block are straight. Using ARP studs. Gasket lifted off block and stuck to head. Have tried FelPro and stock graphite gaskets and they both weeped. The FelPro actually dripped coolant. Never had problems with previous design asbestos gasket. It had a pressure sensitive coating that adheared well and did not weep. I suspect the composite material is not water proof (paper) or does it require heat to seal? Block scraped, scottbrited and wiped with mineral spirits and acetone to dry as prep. Survey of posts had one where thin film of RTV was applied around coolant passages. Never heard feedback on that procedure. This seems to be a common problem with the new composite gaskets. Head and block is N42 from '76 280Z 1 What is best gasket to use? Some have thin fire rings which would not match my o-rings on block (ITW) Others don't have the metal seal for the oil galleys. Have not tried the Beck-Arnley, since both were damaged. 2 What is best coating, if any? Tried Hylomar with some success. Have not tried Permatex Copper Cote. Edited April 14, 2015 by dapiper Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NewZed Posted April 14, 2015 Share Posted April 14, 2015 (edited) Which head, which block? What head or block or year is the gasket spec'ed to? And which coolant passages? There aren't that many. Edited April 14, 2015 by NewZed Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
z-ya Posted April 15, 2015 Share Posted April 15, 2015 I have not had any issues with Felpro (or any other head gasket for that matter). Did you have the head and or block resurfaced? When I rebuild and engine, even if the head and block are true, I have the machinist machine just enough from the deck and head to clean the surface. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NewZed Posted April 15, 2015 Share Posted April 15, 2015 Changed using Stone gasket with no coatings applied. Head and block is N42 from '76 280Z 1 What is best gasket to use? Some have thin fire rings which would not match my o-rings on block (ITW) Others don't have the metal seal for the oil galleys. Have not tried the Beck-Arnley, since both were damaged. Didn't see your edit, edits don't show as new posts. What are these "o-rings"? You have fire ring on top of sealing ring? Maybe your o-ring material is too thick or it's designed to be used with a certain type of gasket. The head actually sits on top of either of those and the rest of the gasket only compresses as far the rings. You might be too high on the sealing area, whatever it is. Describe the ring, and the groove, and the sealing area, in general. Might help. Seems like you might have a mis-match there. I have not built any engines. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gavin Posted April 18, 2015 Share Posted April 18, 2015 I have reused a Felpro gasket multiple times. Never coated any head gasket (maybe 8 installs? lost count). Im sorry I don't have an answer, but I'll guarantee its nothing to do with question 1 or 2. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
z-ya Posted May 28, 2015 Share Posted May 28, 2015 I agree with NewZed. If the o-ring grooves are not correct, then the head will compress against the o-ring before the gasket fire ring. The o-ring should sit just outside the fire ring, not on top of it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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