Gasket expert opinion needed BONEHEAD MOVE
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Road Master
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 781
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From: St Louis
Gasket expert opinion needed BONEHEAD MOVE
Just got done installing 107 cylinders and heads. looked great right up until the moment I pulled the small shop towel I had covering the lifters to notice that a tiny edge of it was pinched between the bottom of the jug and the engine base. DOH! It literally is a few threads and I'm debating whether I need to yank the top end off and loosen the bolts enough to pull the threads of the towel out. If I do, since the motor has never been fired up and the gaskets have just been installed 24 hrs ago, is it OK to keep the same gaskets?
And which is worse, a few threads pinched there or pulling those gaskets back apart after getting seated and torqued?
And which is worse, a few threads pinched there or pulling those gaskets back apart after getting seated and torqued?
6th Gear
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 10
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From: Tacoma, Wa
IMO I would loosen up everything and takeout the threads. Most(stealerships and gasket makers) would say that the gaskets need to be replaced(they want their money) but since it has not been through a heat cycle and have only been on there for 24 hours or so they should be ok.
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Road Master
Joined: Feb 2007
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From: St Louis
I would post a pic but you can't even tell by looking at it. Only reason I know is when i pulled the towel back it stuck and then tore and there was a small edge of it with a few threads missing. I should mention that it is a 2011 103 motor so there is no gasket at the bottom where the jugs meet the engine just the O ring around the cyclinder where it slips into the case. Being as OCD as I am about my motors, I'm not sure I can leave it there even though I'm fairly certain it couldn't cause a problem. I'm really debating whether i would need to replace brand new never heated gaskets If i pull it apart again to pull out the friggin threads.
Road Master
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From: Livingston Parish
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If it is really as you describe it to be, I would not be afraid to start it up and run it. If it leaks after a few heat cycles, then and only then would I pull it apart. I understand your anxiety about this, but for my part it only becomes a problem if it leaks. If not, you were worrying about something that has not happened yet.
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If it is really as you describe it to be, I would not be afraid to start it up and run it. If it leaks after a few heat cycles, then and only then would I pull it apart. I understand your anxiety about this, but for my part it only becomes a problem if it leaks. If not, you were worrying about something that has not happened yet.
And if it does start leaking you'll have to replace the gaskets anyway. Once ya torque and compress the head gasket ya can't compress it again.