Headgaskets

sleepydsm · 01-10-2008

I started with an OEM Mitsu coppersprayed with ARPs. I rebuilt my engine, the block wasnt decked but the head was, and used a Mitsu MLS headgasket. I fear now because the block surface wasnt decked, that the wetness I'm seeing at the headgasket area is due to that. Is there a stronger than OEM gasket I can use that will conform to an irregular surface? Like a solid copper gasket?

**Goat Blower** · 01-10-2008

The copper spray on a MLS gasket should take care of any surface irregularities, if it doesn't, you need to get the block decked. Did you put a straight edge on it and check for warping? You could always go back to a stock headgasket without copper spray(it doesn't need it), which will take care of most irregularities and can withstand a lot of abuse when coupled with ARP's cranked down tight. Most people don't need a metal headgasket.

**Halon** · 01-10-2008

I still rock the stocker/ARP combo.

sleepydsm · 01-11-2008

I mdid copper spray the MLS lol. And I'll just go back to stock if there is ever a real issue, and if I ever make lotsa power I'll just o-ring the block hahaha.

**JET** · 01-11-2008

I am still running a stock head gasket and there is less space between cylinders on a 2.4l. You will be fine with a stocker. I do copper spray my stockers though, just cuz!

**v8klla** · 01-11-2008

We copper spray the OEM's for mild upgrades. We are using the SCE ICS Titan in Kyle's talon with great results (copper gasket with Internal Combustion Seals / Essentially an O-Ring without a groove) at over 700whp. We have also used Cometic gaskets with Duplicolor high heat / ceramic 1200* engine paint as recommended by Cometic to provide a better seal on imperfect surfaces. We have yet to have a head gasket failure in a customer car (knock on wood), but we resurface almost everything!

Chris

92Laser · 01-11-2008

I guess its just luck of the draw with those copper head gaskets. Friend of mine had it fail around 580hp. The block and head were both decked so we aren't sure how it failed. Could definitely see where the exhaust made its way into the coolant passages though.

Supa_dupa_man · 01-11-2008

mine is copper sprayed with arps, and it holds just great, thats with n2o...