Headgasket question

[ATLspeed]

91 ka-t, 88k miles
so last nite when pulling into my driveway i noticed that my car sounds like its running on 3 cylinders. i pull the spark plugs one by one and on the 4th cylinder i notice it has coolant on the plug. i remember that i did overheat my motor last weekend at a drift event but was lucky enough nothin happened. but i guess it finally gave in. now my question:

- is seeing that i need a new headgasket will i be able to use anytype of after market gasket for a ka24de or are there certain things i must be aware of when buying one. thanks

[awesomenick]

Just check to see that your cylinder head's mating service is still flat and true. Since you have a KA-T you should probably consider a Cometic gasket, or something similar.

[ATLspeed]

alright thanks....now i understand and hear that replacing headgaskets can be a pain in the ars! so does anyone know of any links with a step by step or a link with the FSM for a 91 240sx (i dont have complete knowledge of rebuilding/replacing major parts like pistons, rods or bearing but i trust my mechanical knowledge to do it myself with the proper walk through)

[awesomenick]

Actually, since you're going to have the head off anyways, you might as well go to ARP head studs too.

You can download the FSM from a ton of places, but it's a pretty simple job, just annoying. The main things to worry about are tightening/ loosening bolts in the correct order, and torque specs.

BTW, if you do end up going with a Cometic, or other metal head gasket make sure the mating surfaces are almost perfect. The tiniest imperfection can cause leaks. Cometic says not to spray their HG's with copper spray. But I had sealing issues, so I misted mine anyways and it's worked fine ever since.

[SexPanda]

ARP head studs, cometic gasket, and get your cylinder head machined flat.

You should be good. Oh yeah, make sure you torque your head down correctly, run it for a while ( a day does me fine) take off your valve cover and retorque them.

This is what my brother did on his 4g63 Galant VR4. Its a DSM, but hell, the head hasnt lifted yet. Im suprised.

[tougekid]

if you have 8.5:1 rato, and put a 1.2mm hg in, does that drop it to a 8.3:1??

[ATLspeed]

when installing ARP headstuds to the block you screw them in hand tight correct with motor oil or lube. what should i use to clean my mating surface for my head/block. im using a felpro gasket.

[awesomenick]

Yes, hand tight into the block, then make sure to torque the top correctly. Also, make sure the holes for the studs in the block are clean. I assembled mine with arp moly lube I think.

I used a razor blade to scrape my mating surfaces, then used a very fine grit sandpaper.

[gotta240]

Just be sure the sand from the paper isn't falling into the cylinders.

[Rnz520]

put some rtv on the front part of the timing cover, makes it less likely to leak in that area.