Hi guys, i just blew a head gasket between #5 & #7, it was a detroit orange crush, TA studs, and accurately torqued exactly as per TA instructions. Block has the extra 4 studs along the exhaust side. I'm running boost but never had it above about 8 psi (although I intend to run more, how much depends on real world advice from folks). Anybody had luck with TAs copper head gaskets with the fire ring? or Steel? Any sharing of past experiences would be greatly appreciated. I would prefer to avoid o-rings in the block on this motor. Thanks, Ben
I went with Cometic. Have no time on it yet and have not boosted it yet. Will see in a month how it works out.
Good question. I haven't rechecked flatness after teardown but it checked out prior to assembly. There's always the chance that I could have made a mistake when checking. I will check again prior to assembly
I blew an orange crush gasket last year with no boost. Switched to lower compression and hopefully not blow another gasket. I was a little worried about all the discussion on surface finish but I got a few miles on them last year with no problems.
Here's an update in case anybody is interested: Mike at TA filled me in on how important it is to retorque the orange crush gaskets properly (I retorqued but did not break loose prior). So I tear the engine down and find something else quite disturbing. It blew a big chunk out of the head, between cylinders 5 and 7. like 1/2" deep by 3/4" wide!! I attached a picture. Not sure where to go from here but I'm afraid it's time to shelf this buick motor for a while due to finances. Ben
Never seen it do that before. Must have been a casting flaw, not a head gasket failure. I like and use TA's orange crush gaskets myself on both steel heads and aluminum heads without and problem.
I've seen it before, just not on a Buick. Gasket fails between cylinders and the alternating hot gasses from each side of the failure end up eroding the casting. The one I saw had block damage, too. Hows the deck look? Devon
Why not an o-ring? I used to have lots of headgasket problem, but o-rings have cured that for me. Same headgaskets on my engine since '98 (including re-using them several times when the heads have come off for other reasons). -Bob C.
In my opinion cometic gaskets are good, and the best gasket to use if you do not want to O ring the block. If its apart, there is nothing that can seal huge cylinder pressure better then a copper gasket and O rings with a receiver grove cut in the head. The best money can buy, bar none. Top Fuel approved!:Smarty:
I was able to weld the head. The deck looks OK. not perfect, but good enough to run. It's flat, with a couple of tiny pits, probably 5 mil deep. Thanks for all the suggestions, guys. broke a piston, too. I'm going to switch to MLS gasket. O-ring would be a good idea but I don't want to tear the block down and start over. I think I'm going to ditch the supercharger, I need the money to put the thing back together. Anybody want to buy a F-1 Procharger setup from the supercharger store?
I wish I would of known of that two months ago. My "kit" should be on it's way to me soon. Not that I am looking to buy, but what are you going to ask for you F-1?
I would recommend not running the orange crush gasket. And I'd recommend running really rich. I thought I was, but my exh valves looked a little blued. The system is really noisy, blower high pitch whine plus the bypass valve really adds up. OK for a dragster I suppose. I don't know what to ask for it yet, I suppose if somebody were a buyer I'd figure out what I have in it and start slashing. The guys at supercharger store were really great to deal with, very knowledgable, etc. It made ridiculous power before it blew. lots of fun! Good luck with yours. Ben
Ben, What drive do you have on it (8-rib,12-rib, or cog)? What other details can you tell me about it? Wondering how much yours was from The Blower Shop compaired to what I am paying. Send it in a PM if you want to.
I've run 30 PSI on a Cometic with head studs without issue. Not a Buick engine, but still only 10 head bolts per head. They work well.
