Head Gaskets - Where Do You Get Them

Tidybuoy · 02-10-2004, 05:07 PM

I've looked on the Pelican site for Head Gaskets but I don't see them anywhere. Do I need to buy a complete engine gasket set to get head gaskets. And, if I do buy the complete engine set, what else comes with that (i.e., push rod tube gaskets, oil cooler, etc...)

Thanks...............................Vern

Jake Raby · 02-10-2004, 05:10 PM

You don't use them... as per the factory bulletin from VW.

woodman · 02-10-2004, 06:17 PM

I've got a bunch of 'em if you want though!

Jake Raby · 02-10-2004, 06:21 PM

I have 3 five galoon buckets full! To the top!

Tidybuoy · 02-10-2004, 07:08 PM

Thanks!

One more question: If you don't use any gaskets, do you use any type of gasket sealant material? Or just metal to metal?

DuckRyder · 02-11-2004, 04:42 AM

You lap the cylinders into the head using valve lapping compound, then spray with "copper coat" and semmble when tacky.

I'm pretty sure the procedure has been posted several times.

Joe Bob · Joe Bob's Garage

Don't use blue RTV...you will die....

Tidybuoy · 02-11-2004, 04:33 PM

Ok, I've looked thru the tech articles and I don't see anything about replacing the heads.

So, can anyone explain what it means to "lap the cylinders into the heads" as mentioned above.

I've built a VW engine several times before (on my past dune buggy) but, this is my baby & I want to make sure I do it right.

I'm replacing the heads because I stripped one of the spark plug holes and & I was able to pick up a nice set of rebuilt heads. Well I've got the engine pulled, I'm going to replace the clutch, rear main & front pully seal, pushrod tubes & seals, oil cooler cleanup & seals, install a new set of piston rings, and paint the engine tin.

But, I'm a little confused on "not using head gaskets" as menntioned above.

If anyone can explain in a little more detail or point me to a good source or previous post - that would be great........................Vern

DuckRyder · 02-11-2004, 04:49 PM

I am not sure if this is a NO-NO or not, but look here:

Cylinder Lapping

This is the short form is (paraphrased from multiple posters):

First you have to make sure the heads and the cylinders are perfectly flat. Machined heads should be fine. Cylinders can be machined or lapped by putting valve-grinding compound on a sheet of glass and lapping the cylinder in a figure "8".

Once you are sure they are both flat you place the cylinders into the head with a light coat of valve lapping compound and spin the cylinder until there is a uniform dark colored ring. That cylinder is now lapped with that head register (has to be assembled to the same)

I found that less is more for the lapping compound.

WASH EVERYTHING MULTIPLE TIMES - YOU MUST GET EVERY SINGLE GRAIN OF THE COMPOUND OFF

Lay a moderate coat of permatex spray copper coat on the head and assemble and torque when it is Tacky.

Once it is all assembled, you can check for leaks with compressed air.

Jake Raby · 02-11-2004, 04:55 PM

If you had my video you would see why the VW bulletin came out. The gaskets CAUSE issues.

Here ya go.

*grab some 400 grit sandpaper(wet/dry or emerycloth) and a mirror or piece of glass

* clean the sealing surfaces of the cylinders well and then take a blue marker or dykem machinist dye and coat the sealing surface of the cylinder. (this aids in the next process by seeing how out of round the cylinder is/warped)

* allow the dye to dry and then holding the cylinder perfectly flat on the sandpaper with the glass underneath evenly move the cylinder on the sandpaper. This will remove some material. Keep doing this till the cylinder is perfectly flat and all dye is gone. Then you have a good sealing surface.

* mark each cylinder and register in the head for position. This is so you can mate each cylinder into each head and keep them there to enhance the process you are aboyut to do.

* coat the sealing surface of each cylinder with valve lapping compound (clover brand works best) then slide the cylinder into the head and rotate it back and forth about 40 degrees each way. do this for about 3-4 minuteas on each head. Then clean all the compound off and check to see if the grey line made by the process is uniform all around the register of trhe head. If its not 100% the head is warped!

This process will really help to get the heads sealed off way better than the stock way. You will need to either live with the higher compression ratio made by remving the .027 head gasket, or slide a .030 shim under the cylinder to make up the difference.

Hope you can understand my directions..

Alfred1 · 04:57 PM

This tech bulletin http://www.dolphinsci.com/techbull.html was issued for some aircooled VW motors and Jake believes that it's better to leave out the head gaskets for our T4 engines as well. Since he has tons of experience in this matter you might want to listen to him. I'm thinking that I'll buy my engine gasket set directly from my local Porsche dealer and if the gaskets are included with that kit, I'll install 'em.

DuckRyder · 02-11-2004, 05:03 PM

Yeah my freind with the 510 is still walking around saying.

"I cannot belive we left the head gaskets out..........."

I told him Jake was the man and he said do it.

Jake Raby · 02-11-2004, 05:12 PM

I NEVER run the gaskets- not ever!

I have seen heads with fins melted away because of those damn gaskets!

Tidybuoy · 02-11-2004, 05:49 PM

You Guy's are FANTASTIC!

I understand & I will do it right!

Thanks for all the great advice.

p.s. Jake, I saw your post about your video & I will order a copy soon.

Vern