suppose it was innevitable at some point, checked the records on the car and the gasket was fitted 30k miles ago by ggr when it was put to stage 3 335bhp. last october the car visited Stu at msd for a new chip etc upto 350bhp, was told by various folk that the head gasket would probably give way sooner or later, and it did, you can see on the pic where the dirty water stain runs down the head , been told this is one of the most common places for the gasket to weep. the other thing is that there is a manifold bolt missing and it looks like its been missing for a long time.is this a regular occurance wid the manifold bolts? anyway new commetic gaskets are coming this week along wid uprated head bolts etc. can someone tell me of any things that might be a bitch o do when we come to change the gasket. thanx in advance

 

Blimey Sean, mine managed to loose one in exactly the same place when i took my head off a while back.

As for the job, im sure you'll get it done perfectly, just take your time with it... no rush aye!

 

my advise shaun as i've just done mine get ya head checked cleaned and all valves lapped back in u might find it'll need exhaust guides to as these wear out,

also have the exhaust manifold machined flat as you'll find it will have warped with the heat and won't seal correctly on the new gaskets

i think i've got a couple of spare exhaust bolts in my shed if u need any?

while your at it get on the phone to roose motorsport and order up some new matrix and oil cooler water pipes just so u know the jobs rite as they are a bitch to change when the head is on and a good chance the rubber has perished by now anyhow

I also fitted my uprated engine mounts while head was off cause this was easier to do

If you need any help give me a txt as i've just done mine 3 weeks ago

Plus if u take ya head and exhaust manifold and inlet to TOMMY Lewthwaites in whitehaven he has the tools now to fit the guides as he made 1 to do my head on my Saph he will also soak the parts in his acid bath and get rid of all the nasty carbon deposits on the inlet and head

 

some one told me to replace the valve stem oil seals while im at it, did you change yours matt?

 

yep had my whole head checked cleaned and valves lapped back in and new seals fitted at tommys he even made a tool up to fit the new guides

 

this 30 quid head gasket job is gonna end up costing you nearer 600 quid I can assure you I know Ive been there

 

lol! i know been there done that tis always better to get the job done right though

 

I know, its the old "while its apart" syndrome expensive

 

£30 we wish, thought roughly maybe about £400 in parts

 

30 quid for the gasket

 

i found it awkward fitting the head back on and getting the thermostat housing hose back on

you will be ok though.

 

I put the therm housing on after head torqued down

 

offending article, 7 years service

 

Good luck mate, U have pm..

Cheers Malc

 

not far away, £510 to be precise(just parts)