turbobluestreak Posted June 26, 2005 Share Posted June 26, 2005 ok two weeks ago I blew an Nissan head gasket so I decided that I would upgrade to the hks steel head gasket. I had the head checked and said it was fine. So I installed it dry and torque it down to 55ft-lbs with oil on my arp studs. my problem is that when I start my z up i now see water come out my tail pipe which did not happen before I blew my gasket. So is my gasket not sealing correctly or WTF? Also as I remember my surface finish on the head wasn't the greatest but I've never used a metal head gasket and thought it would be fine. So now that read all the post that I could find here on hybrid and zcar after I installed it. Yah dumb move on my part I'm thinking I screwed up my install what do you guys think should I pull the head?? tbs Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Here comes trouble Posted June 26, 2005 Share Posted June 26, 2005 Did you torque in 3 stages (1st> 29 ft.lb ,2nd>43 ft.lb. and 3rd stage 51-61 ft.lb.///// specs for 77 and later) and work your way out from the center.. the water could be condensation from exhaust pipe. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
turbobluestreak Posted June 26, 2005 Author Share Posted June 26, 2005 yah I torqued my head down right but I'm just worried that something is wrong. tbs Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tim240z Posted June 26, 2005 Share Posted June 26, 2005 Water out of the tail pipe is normal. It is the condensation of the hot water vapor in the exaust gases, liquifying on the cold exhaust pipe walls. Unless it is smoking white smoke, you should be fine.....Check leakdown and compression. Is it overheating? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Z-Gad Posted June 28, 2005 Share Posted June 28, 2005 I have always used copper spray on the metal head gaskets prior to install. I have never installed one dry, but that doesn't mean it cannot be done... You may end up having to pick up a can at the parts store. It is ~ $5.00 or so. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
slownrusty Posted June 29, 2005 Share Posted June 29, 2005 I agree 101% with ZGAD....copper spray is the way to go! Yasin Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
J Taylor Posted June 29, 2005 Share Posted June 29, 2005 I'll 3rd that. I reused the same headgasket 3 or 4 times and never had a problem with leakage of any kind. Need to coat both sides good and let it sit a few mins before you put it on. JT Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Clifton Posted June 30, 2005 Share Posted June 30, 2005 I have always installed new MHG's dry. That's whats recomended. The viton coating seals the small imperfections. 55lbs is pretty low. I've torqued stock L28 head bolts to 70 ft lbs with oil. According to ARP if using oil you will need to increase the torque comparred to using their moly lube. For my my studs (7M) it was 80 ft/lbs with moly and I think 110 or 130 ft lbs if using oil. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tony D Posted July 1, 2005 Share Posted July 1, 2005 Kopr-Kote in a spray can is how I installed mine. They say dry because the Viton covering will adhere to the block finish or the head finish tearing it when you pull the head for the first time... With the Kopr-Kote, it comes right off, no little rubber delamination to make you go "oh sh*t, another $231 down the drain!" (or whatever they go for now...) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Zcarsmakemyheadhurt Posted July 1, 2005 Share Posted July 1, 2005 You really should have cleaned the deck on the block and sufaced of the head, but that is done now. I spray MLHG when they being reused new you should not. You can torque that head up to 89LB, I would go 70. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
81280zxtc Posted July 4, 2005 Share Posted July 4, 2005 Did you pull the dip stick to see if you have coolant in the oil pan mixed with the oil? If you don't, I wouldn't worry much. Water drop-lets out of the exhaust is normal, but if you see alot of white smoke while running for a bit, or acutally smell coolant from the exhaust, then you have a problem. Check that out first.. my .02 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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