2.2T cylinder head gasket broke into pieces

[R&TSWB]

Hi to all,

I had a complete engine rebuild done on my 2.2T engine upgrading to 9.5:1 JE pistons and solex cams, the biral cylinders were checked and reused.

The engine ran great in a 12 hr. endurance race, and 3 more sprint races.

Suddenly the engine would not start due to loose compression.

The builder opened the engine and found 5 of the cylinder head gaskets broken into 3 pcs. ???

Everything else was checked and nothing else was found.....

Would anyone have had a similar experience?

Thanks in advance for any info or ideas regards, romy

[R&TSWB]

have been discussing this matter with the builder who asked me to possibly purchase a set of cylinder to cylinder head gaskets of a different brand.

Five of the 6 steel gaskets broke in a similar way, therefore the idea that this could be a material failure was discussed as well as possible wrong torgue figures used.

any info would be highly helpful and appreciated.

ps. The 3.0 engines do not have gaskets between the cylinder and cylinder head.
Since my engine is a 2.2t biral cylinders with aluminum cylinder heads, the builder installed the steel gaskets that came with the victor reinz rebuild gasket kit.
But is it possible to not use the gaskets as in the 3.0 engine? thanks again for any answers regards, rommy

[Flat6pac]

The size without the head gaskets is 3.2. The cylinders are beveled on the sealing surface and the torque is 15 ft# + 90 degree swing of the torque wrench, way more than the 25 ft# that your engine calls for.
I would just install the CE rings and assemble properly to spec. I cant see any reason for them to break in place.
Bruce

[356RS]

IIRC the sealing rings on the top of the cylinders are not a compression sealing gasket, not a cylinder head gasket. Possibly your case studs are pulling out of the case or a head torque issue.

I have corrected myself. The CE ring is called a head gasket.

[356RS]

Well after checking on my statement that there is no cylinder head gasket......I find that the CE ring is called a head gasket and is a head gasket. But from what I can see is the real sealing is between the top of the cylinder surface and the head surface. So what is the purpose of the CE ring?

[Flat6pac]

Once crushed it is a head gasket.
Bruce

[356RS]

Thanks Bruce, and Rommy I hope you find out whats causing the CE rings to break. I haven't used the CE ring type cylinders in a long time. Most all my cylinders are from LN Engineering and do not use them.

[cgarr]

Were the heads surfaced?

[R&TSWB]

Yes, the heads were resurfaced, thks rommy