K series head gasket

[OAP]

Any recomendations for a replacement K gasket? Or should I just get a normal one from a garage?

Failed on seven year old S2 Elise for no apparent reason. All the coolent disappeared from the header tank, and the dip stick showed blobs of water. The RAC man told my son he didn't need a break down truck as the car could safely be driven!! - son insisted and RAC man got very

[Ozzy]

RAC man should be sacked! Well done Son

 

Might be worth asking Oily for a gasket, as his will be among the best I would imagine.

 

C7 FST....Powered by DVA

 

A Wolf in Clams Clothing!

[Chris Wells]

Hi

 

I thoght I had read that someone had produced an improved head gasket - if only I could remember who! You could try googling "improved K series headgasket" or similar. It might help.

 

Chris

[OAP]

I had thought so too, but couldn't remember, which is why I posted this. I guess Oily Hands will know as suggested earlier. I'll give him a call.

[ruff seven]

Raceline sell the new mls gasket, not cheap but works well if liner pertrusion is not what it should be.

[Stationary M25 Traveller]

Recall something like Payen gasket ?

 

 

[Slipper man]

I think the standard gaskets are just fine. You need to ensure the engine has the steel locating dowels for the head (the original heads used nylon and it was these that caused many of the early issues) and that the liner heights are correct.

[oilyhands]

My experience of the MLS gaskets is that they work fine if the liner heights are perfect, if the liner heights are less so then the regular Payen BW750 gasket is the one to use.

 

The shim provided with the MLS gasket can improve matters if the head surface has voids or porosity.

 

To be sure..

 

Ensure your liner heights are perfect (.004")

Ensure the head is not soft (> 95 brinell)

Ensure the head is flat

Peen the fire ring area of the head to consolidate the material and squeeze out any voids, then skim the head.

Use a genuine Payen BW750 gasket (not a cheap copy)

Use genuine OE head bolts

Use the steel dowels that come with the HG unless you already have them fitted.

 

Oily

[OAP]

Thanks for all these replies - very helpful

[7 wonders of the world]

And make sure you trim the metal dowels to length if you skim the head otherwise they bottom out, there are a few on here that have learnt the hard way.

 

Too young to be old !