Use head gaskets or not?

[BenI]

Are there any opinions/experiences about leaving the head gaskets out on a 4-cyl 2.0L engine running carbs? Im asking because I got the wrong people to rebuild my engine-so I don't feel I can trust their judgement. I have no blow by and low compression (90-95 psi/cylinder) and feel like I should have much more power. I know builders leave out gaskets on big engines. I was thinking that taking mine out would increase the compression ratio, but would like to know if there's a downside. Thanks for any input.

[Conrad W Peden]

Personally, I lap my cyls into the head. Been doing it since.....always. Somone said it once and it stuck. Never, ever had a leak.

But thats just me.

Someone will probably harass me on this one but I like it.

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CWP/VIR
72 914 L20E in rusto.
73 914 L20E 2.0L in resto.
http://members.rennlist.com/a914lover

[Patrick]

There was a tech bulletin issued by VW over 10 years ago that said not to use them. Check out these threads from Shoptalk:

http://shoptalkforums.com/bbs/NonCGI/Forum1/HTML/000721.html

http://shoptalkforums.com/bbs/NonCGI/Forum1/HTML/000448.html

http://shoptalkforums.com/bbs/NonCGI/Forum1/HTML/000532.html

[Jake Raby]

I NEVER, EVER, NO MATTER WHAT, USE HEAD GASKETS!!!

The head gaskets are 3 .008 rings of aluminum, mated together, when they get a "HINT" of a head leak, they blow like a grenade, and thats all she wrote..

I modify a "step" into the heads, which "flame locks" the chamber and cylinder. lap each cylinder to its head!!

Another HUGE improvement, especially with poor quality off the shelf cylinders is to use a piece of glass covered in lapping compound to deck the tops of the cylinders, to insure they are flat...If they are not, a run in the lathe will true them, and the faces can be faced again opn the glass with lapping compound.

Install the heads, and DO A LEAK DOWN TEST, listen and feel for head leaks, and then run a flame around the cylinder to tell the facts about your work..

[Conrad W Peden]

When I said I lapped the cyls. I forgot to mention what Jake just did.

Make sure the tops of the cyls. are true and square to the bore.

------------------
CWP/VIR
72 914 L20E in rusto.
73 914 L20E 2.0L in resto.
http://members.rennlist.com/a914lover