whats the best headgasket to get , will a standard one do for a engine running about 200bhp , i think my headgasket has gone , as its running lumpy in idle and theres a bit of mayo on top of filler car! there seems to be lots of pressure in the headertank and the waters a shitty colour , sound likes signs of a headgasket gone?

 

standard one is fine mate! proberly better than the aftermarket ones

 

Ford

 

Ford or Payen, steer well clear of Felpro the diameter of gasket where it seals the fire ring on each cylinder is way too big!

 

As the chaps have stated above, Ford gasket is by far the best.

 

and of course spotless preparation!

Make sure you clean the threads in the block for the headbolts and either use assembly lube or a dab or two of oil on the head bolts before you assemble. Dont forget to oil the washers that sit under the head bolt heads. This is to prevent false torque readings at the bolt end.

Its amazing how many people cant follow the basics and then blame the headgasket when it fails.

 

so is it an easy job to do then , do i need to get head skimmed of just give it a good clean , how long do you recon it takes? i neverdone one before but am capable of doing it !

 

what about cometic?????

 

Do they make them for CVH

 

You will at least need to take it to an engineers and get them to check it for flatness. I always skim a head in a situation like yours, they should only charge around Ł35. Read the haynes manual and follow the procedures its not rocket science and aslong as you are careful and have a half decent torque wrench you should have no problems.

I would change the following tho

All headgaskets (buy a head gasket set)
new headbolts as they stretch to form a permanent clamping force when in use, this cannot be replicated if re-used.
oil and filter
cam belt
and for the cost at this stage a new thermostat.

I presume this is a Escort/fiesta turbo?

If your water pump looks on its last legs, now would be a good time to change if you can find a cheap one, but not essential, just saves you taking the cam belt off again to do the water pump in the future.

 

its an escort turbo setup in a mk5 escort, the cam belt was only changed not long ago but i will change everythings else just to be on the safe side

If your water pump looks on its last legs, now would be a good time to change if you can find a cheap one, but not essential, just saves you taking the cam belt off again to do the water pump in the future

 

yeah i have 1 on mine

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/COMETIC-FORD-C...QQcmdZViewItem

 

Are they any better than a Ford one ?

 

not sure, good brand though, probs payin 4 the name!

i did lol

 

i am attempting to do it myself , i can get hold of a full gasket set and new head bolts for about 32 quid , ford wanted 40 for the gasket and 5 for each head bolt.
and when i said i need a gasket for a escort rs turbo his reply was ' so is it a mk5 or a mk4 '
my reply was ' yes its a mk5 with a mk4 rs turbo engine in , as they never did a mk5 rs turbo'