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ANYONE HAD PROBLEMS WITH COMETIC HEAD GASKETS??

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Old May 9, 2006 | 10:15 AM
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Default ANYONE HAD PROBLEMS WITH COMETIC HEAD GASKETS??

On any engine, but especially those at 400-500bhp?

Any experiences would be welcomed...

Cheers,

Ben
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Old May 9, 2006 | 10:20 AM
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YES

Lots of people who didnt make sure the mating surfaces were perfectly flat.

Cometic (and other similar construction) gaskets are a lot less forgiving of any imperfections in terms of flatness of the block etc.
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Old May 9, 2006 | 10:20 AM
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you shouldnt be using a cometic h/g on an engine of that powerband.
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Old May 9, 2006 | 10:22 AM
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Originally Posted by DaveEscos
you shouldnt be using a cometic h/g on an engine of that powerband.
Why not?

I know lots of people who have done so on properly prepared engines, including Stu@MSD i believe?
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Old May 9, 2006 | 10:24 AM
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mine was 36 psi and it never poped and it got more abuse than a ginger kid with glasses
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Old May 9, 2006 | 10:24 AM
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Agree with Chip there fine for that figure if work is carried out correctly
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Old May 9, 2006 | 10:26 AM
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I have heard of faliures and reliability worries.

I would only use a 'WRC' gasket on an expensive engine build

personal preference
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Old May 9, 2006 | 10:27 AM
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Originally Posted by DaveEscos
I have heard of faliures and reliability worries.
Ive heard the same, but never from anyone with a properly rebuilt engine.

I think the issue is people not understanding how to use them properly and then when they fail they blame the gasket rather than their own ignorance of the importance of flat surfaces.
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Old May 9, 2006 | 10:31 AM
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But surely the 'flat surface' issue also applies to any metal head gasket - Mountune's included?
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Old May 9, 2006 | 10:41 AM
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Originally Posted by PF Ben
But surely the 'flat surface' issue also applies to any metal head gasket - Mountune's included?
Depends on the type of construction of the gasket and how much flex there is in the "spring layers" in the case of the cometic, its VERY little.

Installed properly though they can take some serious abuse
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Old May 9, 2006 | 11:07 AM
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Cheers Chip,

well, think I'm gonna sting my wallet for a Mountune jobbie thinking about it....

Ben
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Old May 9, 2006 | 11:19 AM
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Originally Posted by PF Ben
Cheers Chip,

well, think I'm gonna sting my wallet for a Mountune jobbie thinking about it....

Ben
I would of thought Collins would advise you of which headgasket to use as they are building your engine i think ?

Steve.
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Old May 9, 2006 | 11:20 AM
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When i asked my tuner what gasket to use, his words when i mentioned cometic were.......bother....shite....don't (not necessarily in that order )

never asked for reasons
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Old May 9, 2006 | 11:46 AM
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Steve, yeah they said they'd fit a Cometic on my engine if I wanted to but would rather fit a Mountune gasket. I would too, but it's Ł300+ and if people haven't had problems with the Cometic at this power then it would be money spent for the sake of it in my eyes.

Still, like I say, looks like I'll stump up for the Mountune jobbie now so cheers guys (I think! )

Ben
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Old May 9, 2006 | 11:59 AM
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Whats the 'gas filled' Cometic like ?

WD
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Old May 9, 2006 | 12:07 PM
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another 300 quid on a build well into the thousands aint much for peace of mind
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Old May 9, 2006 | 04:00 PM
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Dont get me started on this......I told you lot 2 years ago
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Old May 9, 2006 | 04:05 PM
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Originally Posted by bud-weis
When i asked my tuner what gasket to use, his words when i mentioned cometic were.......bother....shite....don't (not necessarily in that order )

never asked for reasons
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Old May 9, 2006 | 04:08 PM
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Originally Posted by bud-weis
When i asked my tuner what gasket to use, his words when i mentioned cometic were.......bother....shite....don't (not necessarily in that order )

never asked for reasons
I know EXACTLY why.................It was because my car
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Old May 9, 2006 | 04:18 PM
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This is what Karl wrote when my Cometic head gasket fucked up costing me a small fortune

Originally Posted by Karl
Just to give a quick run down on the problems found so that anyone using a cometic gasket in future can double check this!

After I had rebuilt the engine using a cometic gasket the first thing I did was refill the coolant system. After I had filled it I noticed water leaking down the block. Upon inspection its was coming from the side of the head gasket.

Thus I stripped the engine again and indentations were found in the head face and block. Upon examining the gasket it was found that the seperate fire rings that sit in the middle of the 3 layers were slightly larger in diameter than the cut out in the middle layer!!!! This was causing the fire ring to sit slightly proud and thus hold the head up enough to leak. However it damaged the head and block in the process.

It's not an easy fault to spot and I didnt before fitting it even though I visually checked the gasket over. The three layers are quite loose and thus I doubt I would spot the fault again until the head is torqued down!! Unless you actually pull the outer layers apart to view the centre layer and fire rings its almost impossible to detect! (And its not a good thing to start pulling the steel layers apart with a new gasket!!)

Thus everyone BEWARE!!!!

As a summary I pulled the engine out machined both the block and head faces and rebuilt with a genuine Mountune gasket! Its now 100% perfect again no thanks to Cometic!!

Hope this small bit of info may save someone elses engine, allthough it does seem to be a rare fault!!
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Old May 9, 2006 | 04:18 PM
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I have never had a problem with cometics gasket

you will have aproblem if the face of the head / block isn't flat

they won't work to well and that includes the pukka wrc item aswell

marco
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Old May 9, 2006 | 04:30 PM
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Think you have been warned Ben, all you have to do now is listen.
Rod
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Old May 9, 2006 | 05:34 PM
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never had a direct gasket failure with cometic, they have withstood more heat in my engine than most of you will ever see on a road engine. enough said.
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Old May 9, 2006 | 05:47 PM
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...has anyone ever heard of a WRC 4 layer one fail?
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Old May 9, 2006 | 06:13 PM
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there are only a few failures compared to the non failures then.

have had one on my other engine and it was fine.
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Old May 9, 2006 | 07:35 PM
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This is teh problem with humans...

They almost exclusively ONLY remember PROBLEMS they heard of, somewhere, once, that someones dog had. Never remember reading any good things!!

So we have so far, what? ONE example of failure on this forum of 21000 people? Fooking one solitary example and people are instantly worried and negative about the product!!

I have sold, probably, thousands, and ive fitted a bloody fair few, and never had a failure that was attributed, definately, to the gasket itself. My own car has one fitted, the last one lasted some 15K miles before starting to weep, and thats pretty much normal for any YB gasket retained with std head bolts.

Some of you need to start listening to some professionals for a change instead of taking internet gossip as gospel. Start weighing up some odds. 1 genuine Failure, many happy people, work it out for yourselves. WRC is is of course better, but then its over THREE times the price... of course its fooking better. ROFLOL

P.S:
They stopped using bore shims a long time ago, so the complaint Karl had with Tiff's hasnt been of any great relevnce for a long time now.
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Old May 9, 2006 | 07:44 PM
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I built Sticky`s new engine with one and it`s perfect,withstanding a ring trip so far and of course the lead footed fookers general abuse as well !!!

Made sure the surfaces were flat and put it together properly...
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Old May 9, 2006 | 07:52 PM
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My Fiecos has one fitted, and never had a problem.

That was 8.5:1 with 26-33 psi boost. and used hard.


And my brother runs them on his pulser with no problem
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Old May 9, 2006 | 07:56 PM
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Originally Posted by Stu @ M Developments
This is the problem with humans...

They almost exclusively ONLY remember PROBLEMS they heard of, somewhere, once, that someones dog had. Never remember reading any good things!!

So we have so far, what? ONE example of failure on this forum of 21000 people? Fooking one solitary example and people are instantly worried and negative about the product!!

I have sold, probably, thousands, and ive fitted a bloody fair few, and never had a failure that was attributed, definately, to the gasket itself. My own car has one fitted, the last one lasted some 15K miles before starting to weep, and thats pretty much normal for any YB gasket retained with std head bolts.

Some of you need to start listening to some professionals for a change instead of taking internet gossip as gospel. Start weighing up some odds. 1 genuine Failure, many happy people, work it out for yourselves. WRC is is of course better, but then its over THREE times the price... of course its fooking better. ROFLOL
Some of us do seek & take advise from professionals & the advice given to me was dont use them. It makes no difference to me if every one else on here fits one, I will still continue to listen to the pro advice ive received for over 10 years.

Dont treat as clueless idiots or speak down to us as above because we dont agree with you on some matters.
Rod
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Old May 9, 2006 | 08:05 PM
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Never had any probs with my cometic gasket either
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Old May 9, 2006 | 08:07 PM
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Originally Posted by MADRod
Dont treat as clueless idiots or speak down to us as above because we dont agree with you on some matters.
Rod
Interesting post Rod.
Given everyone on here knows you would take advice from Mark, your professional tuner, do any of us then think the folloowing statement would apply to you?


Originally Posted by Stu
Some of you need to start listening to some professionals for a change instead of taking internet gossip as gospel.
Maybe if i highlight in red the part that would instantly dismiss you?


Originally Posted by Stu
Some of you need to start listening to some professionals for a change instead of taking internet gossip as gospel.
Or if i wanted to be really accurate, i could highlight this as well...

Originally Posted by Stu
Some of you need to start listening to some professionals for a change instead of taking internet gossip as gospel.

Seems to me you have a bit of an inferiority complex there Rod and actually decided for yourself that i was talking to you? Can i be blamed for that? I think not. As for you not Agreeing with me, you would need to know and offer some factual advice to be able to enter into a discussion, which of course you would haveto do before we could decide on who agrees with whom and what, ive yet to see any from you, or did i miss a post?

I also think the horse your sat on tonight is too high for you, may i suggest you get down from it mate as i see no reason for you to sit up there when talking to me, someone who for many years has had nothing but respect for you. That of course can change overnight...


FACT:
Rod has never used a cometic so has no direct experience with which to Comment.

FACT
Stu has lots of experience having supplied and fitted thousands of them.

Not a lot else to add really is there?
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Old May 9, 2006 | 08:23 PM
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Old May 9, 2006 | 08:27 PM
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Rod mate,

Are you talking specifically about not using cometic with your sort of power? Only Mark said to me that up to 400 ish BHP they are fine.
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Old May 9, 2006 | 09:01 PM
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Originally Posted by Stu @ M Developments
Originally Posted by MADRod
Dont treat as clueless idiots or speak down to us as above because we dont agree with you on some matters.
Rod
Interesting post Rod.
Given everyone on here knows you would take advice from Mark, your professional tuner, do any of us then think the folloowing statement would apply to you?


Originally Posted by Stu
Some of you need to start listening to some professionals for a change instead of taking internet gossip as gospel.
Maybe if i highlight in red the part that would instantly dismiss you?


Originally Posted by Stu
Some of you need to start listening to some professionals for a change instead of taking internet gossip as gospel.
Or if i wanted to be really accurate, i could highlight this as well...

Originally Posted by Stu
Some of you need to start listening to some professionals for a change instead of taking internet gossip as gospel.

Seems to me you have a bit of an inferiority complex there Rod and actually decided for yourself that i was talking to you? Can i be blamed for that? I think not. As for you not Agreeing with me, you would need to know and offer some factual advice to be able to enter into a discussion, which of course you would haveto do before we could decide on who agrees with whom and what, ive yet to see any from you, or did i miss a post?

I also think the horse your sat on tonight is too high for you, may i suggest you get down from it mate as i see no reason for you to sit up there when talking to me, someone who for many years has had nothing but respect for you. That of course can change overnight...


FACT:
Rod has never used a cometic so has no direct experience with which to Comment.

FACT
Stu has lots of experience having supplied and fitted thousands of them.

Not a lot else to add really is there?


BUT .................................................. ..............................................













much better worded than i would have


experiance matters - hear'say counts for nothing. ( shit group anyway )
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Old May 9, 2006 | 11:37 PM
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FACT
Stu has lots of experience having supplied and fitted thousands of them.
I have had problems with Cometic gasket not in Cars but in bikes and not good i can tell you.

Can you hand on heart say you have supplied and fitted over 1000 YB head gaskets?

Not haveing a dig but 1000 ??? how long have cometic been doing car gaskets ? 3 years max 365 days in a year x 3 = 1,095 thats 1 a day for the last 3 years
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Old May 10, 2006 | 12:18 AM
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Originally Posted by PJ ENGINEERING (PROX)
FACT
Stu has lots of experience having supplied and fitted thousands of them.
I have had problems with Cometic gasket not in Cars but in bikes and not good i can tell you.

Can you hand on heart say you have supplied and fitted over 1000 YB head gaskets?

Not haveing a dig but 1000 ??? how long have cometic been doing car gaskets ? 3 years max 365 days in a year x 3 = 1,095 thats 1 a day for the last 3 years

Yeah Stu for the millionth time stop exagerating

I think the key to the sentence you have quoted from Stu is the word 'supplied' as well as 'fitted' as i am sure he sells loads but doesn't necasarily fit them too
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Old May 10, 2006 | 02:10 AM
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200 blocks are shite too, so are T4's, and anything else you care to mention that is bolted to a cosworth engine Blocks crack, turbos blow up, but we still buy them and fit them all the same Just a question of getting the most for your money and fitting them correctly, and if a trader is willing to stick his neck out and say they are up to the job, then they can't be all bad And of course, various tuners/traders will have different opinions, or there would only be 1 tuner in the uk

To be fair Tiffs experience sounds like a bit of a nightmare, but the issue seems to have been resolved now. I run a 3 layer on my RWD saffy running 370bhp, and its done 10k with no snags at all
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Old May 10, 2006 | 06:14 AM
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Well for what it's worth probably nothing lol.
I had a convo with Cometic people and they told me unless BOTH the head and block are machined flat they wouldn't recommend using their gasket.

here's some post from a Racing related forum....


I put Cometic gaskets on a 540 Chevy blown gas Jet Boat engine and had no problems. no o-rings, no leaks. 8.25 static compression PSI A blower 25 lbs boost @ 80% overdrive. 1544 hp @ 7200 rpm. This was the first set I have used. We even took them off once during assembly & once during the dyno session. They are reusable. I like the way they seal & don't leak. Jet Boats are very hard to seal with o-rings & copper gaskets. I use a wet segmented stone surface grinder to deck the block & surface the heads with a very fine finish. My customer loves them because he has battled water leaks with most of his engines. I will use them again.

With any MLS gasket, surface finish is the #1 priority. What you can get away with on a composite gasket WILL NOT WORK with a steel gasket.

If you want to read the rest of the input or comments... http://speedtalk.com//forum/viewtopi...18dd3f73d6af8f
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Old May 10, 2006 | 07:15 AM
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Originally Posted by PJ ENGINEERING (PROX)
Can you hand on heart say you have supplied and fitted over 1000 YB head gaskets?
Read the whole post before having a crack and making yourself look silly.

Originally Posted by Stu @ M Developments
I have sold, probably, thousands, and ive fitted a bloody fair few,
Doesnt say ive fitted thousands does it? And there was no need for me to elaborate on my 2nd post as i expect people to have read and digested the first one i wrote that gave more detail. As for thousands, yes, years ago i imported these gaskets direct and sold them to a lot of mail order companies, tuners, and machine shops around the UK. Many of the older members may well remember where they saw them first.. yes, as a group buy on a web forum somewhere not to far away...

Hope that helps.
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Old May 10, 2006 | 07:19 AM
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PJ ENGINEERING (PROX)


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