Shifted cylinder base gasket

[irobertson]

While taking the 911 down off the lift today to bring in our new Golf and finish the required brake work, I noticed a little oil drop at the bottom of the motor.
When I put her back up in the air, I took a closer look and much to my dismay I discovered that the cylinder base gasket on #1 is protruding out of position.
Damn it! This is not going to be an easy fix :-(

Any advice is appreciated.

[Steve@Rennsport]

The first thing I'd do is check the integrity of the head studs as lack of correct cylinder head torque can lead to base gasket shifting.

In any case, the fix requires removal of the heads/cam housings, and cylinder(s) to gain access to that part.

[irobertson]

Thanks Steve.
It will be a while before I can get to this, but I will report back with the findings.

[Steve@Rennsport]

Originally Posted by irobertson

Thanks Steve.
It will be a while before I can get to this, but I will report back with the findings.

If you have ARP head studs, you may find loose head nuts and thats common.

[Speedalac 930]

I have had the coated ones squeeze out. One event on my track car. Not fun!!!

[irobertson]

Originally Posted by Speedalac 930

I have had the coated ones squeeze out. One event on my track car. Not fun!!!

Mine are coated as well.
That's what came in the Wrightwood kit I bought.

[Steve@Rennsport]

No troubles with those gaskets for 25+ years and we've used a LOT of them.

[irobertson]

Well the weather is finally warming up here in the Great White North, and I have a weekend to myself.
Today I attempted a shortcut fix for the shifted base gasket.
I pulled the valve covers, cat and left heat exchanger off, then proceeded to check the head stud torques. Cyl 2 & 3 were snug, but Cyl 1 needed about 10 degrees of rotation to get to the ARP spec of 38 ft/lb.
Then I backed all the studs off except for the front two on Cyl 3.
This took the tension off enough for me to gently tap the gasket back into place with a small wooden dowel.
I''ve now re-torqued all the head studs back to spec.
Now to check the stud torque on Cyls 4,5 & 6.
Replacement oil is due early next week, so I will have to wait to see if the fix was successful.

[Steve@Rennsport]

Since you have ARP heads studs, I would STRONGLY recommend checking them frequently.

We don't use them (and Raceware) for this very reason.

[irobertson]

Thanks for the advice Steve.
Cyls 4,5 & 6 were OK.
The only one that was not to spec was #1.
Go figure.

[Dpmulvan]

Steve what studs do you recommend?

[Steve@Rennsport]

Originally Posted by Dpmulvan

Steve what studs do you recommend?

993TT ones, ONLY. Not cheap, but you really get what you pay for.