Changing Headgasket. Head Bolts?? Gaskets?? SR20DET - Zilvia.net Forums | Nissan 240SX (Silvia) and Z (Fairlady) Car Forum

Red Dragon3 · 01-04-2010, 05:33 PM

Hello
I am currently doing an S14 motor swap on my S13 chassis. I decided to buy a full gasket set at FRsport.com and replace all my gaskets. I replace the headgasket and used the stock head bolts. I did not think of replaceing the head bolts. Nor did i measure the stretch length of the head bolts. Yeah i know i am stupid. The motor is now reassembles back together with all the new gaskets in place. The motor is not in the car yet.
Now people have been telling me i should have replace my head bolts, when i was swaping the head gaskets. They tell that when you torque the head bolts on, you are tightening the head bolts beyond the elastic region to the point of the plastic region. Therefore you are stretching the bolts, which keeps the head tight. They tell me that, the head will seal but, if you are planning on running the car hard, then head bolts may not be strong enough and may cause potential damage. The headgasket may not not seal properly and cause problems down the road.
Money is tight, and i dont want to spend too much money on the car.
Decisions, decisions.
1)Should i take the motor apart and replace the head studs?
2)If i replace the head bolts can i reuse the head gasket that i have on right now or do i have to replace the head gasket too because the head gasket wont seal properly?
3) The motor is assembled together right now. If i pull the head off, then i will have to pull off the intake manifold and the exhaust manifold. So will i have to replace the intake manifold gasket, mid intake manifold gasket, exhaust manifold gasket, turbo water and oil copper gasket?
Be aware, i have not started the car yet. The motor is currently on the motor stand.
What are my options?

Thanks

Red Dragon3 · 01-04-2010, 10:56 PM

Edit:
I have made my decision to replace the head gasket and head bolts.
Can some one tell me what gaskets i need to buy to do a head gasket replacement. (include intake manifold, exhaust manifold gasket, ect)

djcobra · 01-04-2010, 11:22 PM

Go with a metal headgasket, either by Apexi, or HKS. There are other brands, but i personally like Apexi which i'm currently using 1.1mm thick. As for exhaust manifold gasket, just order a S15 exhaust gasket which has 7 layers. For head bolts, most of the guys here are using ARP, its also what i used on my setup. Hopefully that helps.

Steve.

Sileighty_85 · 01-04-2010, 11:26 PM

Apexi Headgasket Done.

You said you did a gasket rebuild on it? if the engine has not been ran then all the gaskets will be fine,

kouki_drifter · 08-26-2012, 11:46 AM

I know this is old but apex sucks! I just took my s14 sr20det to tune made 400hp 364ftlbs of torque to the wheels, got home went for a ride it redline in 1st gear and blew a dam apex multilayer hg! Look at this bullshit!

Started smoking white burning coolant sucks!

01-04-2010, 05:33 PM	#1
Red Dragon3 Leaky Injector Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Saskatoon, Canada Age: 32 Posts: 91 Trader Rating: (1) Feedback Score: 1 reviews	Changing Headgasket. Head Bolts?? Gaskets?? SR20DET Hello I am currently doing an S14 motor swap on my S13 chassis. I decided to buy a full gasket set at FRsport.com and replace all my gaskets. I replace the headgasket and used the stock head bolts. I did not think of replaceing the head bolts. Nor did i measure the stretch length of the head bolts. Yeah i know i am stupid. The motor is now reassembles back together with all the new gaskets in place. The motor is not in the car yet. Now people have been telling me i should have replace my head bolts, when i was swaping the head gaskets. They tell that when you torque the head bolts on, you are tightening the head bolts beyond the elastic region to the point of the plastic region. Therefore you are stretching the bolts, which keeps the head tight. They tell me that, the head will seal but, if you are planning on running the car hard, then head bolts may not be strong enough and may cause potential damage. The headgasket may not not seal properly and cause problems down the road. Money is tight, and i dont want to spend too much money on the car. Decisions, decisions. 1)Should i take the motor apart and replace the head studs? 2)If i replace the head bolts can i reuse the head gasket that i have on right now or do i have to replace the head gasket too because the head gasket wont seal properly? 3) The motor is assembled together right now. If i pull the head off, then i will have to pull off the intake manifold and the exhaust manifold. So will i have to replace the intake manifold gasket, mid intake manifold gasket, exhaust manifold gasket, turbo water and oil copper gasket? Be aware, i have not started the car yet. The motor is currently on the motor stand. What are my options? Thanks __________________ 08 Mitsubishi Evo X MR 89 Nissan 240SX

01-04-2010, 10:56 PM	#2
Red Dragon3 Leaky Injector Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Saskatoon, Canada Age: 32 Posts: 91 Trader Rating: (1) Feedback Score: 1 reviews	Edit: I have made my decision to replace the head gasket and head bolts. Can some one tell me what gaskets i need to buy to do a head gasket replacement. (include intake manifold, exhaust manifold gasket, ect) __________________ 08 Mitsubishi Evo X MR 89 Nissan 240SX

01-04-2010, 11:22 PM	#3
djcobra Zilvia Junkie Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Calgary Age: 42 Posts: 306 Trader Rating: (1) Feedback Score: 1 reviews	Go with a metal headgasket, either by Apexi, or HKS. There are other brands, but i personally like Apexi which i'm currently using 1.1mm thick. As for exhaust manifold gasket, just order a S15 exhaust gasket which has 7 layers. For head bolts, most of the guys here are using ARP, its also what i used on my setup. Hopefully that helps. Steve. __________________ S14 326 whp, 311 tq @ 15 psi HKS F-CON V-PRO

01-04-2010, 11:26 PM	#4
Sileighty_85 Post Whore! Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Misawa, Japan Posts: 6,815 Trader Rating: (8) Feedback Score: 8 reviews	Apexi Headgasket Done. You said you did a gasket rebuild on it? if the engine has not been ran then all the gaskets will be fine, __________________ 後輪駆動車１番 1989 Built SR GT2871R -363whp 1998 S14 W/RB25- 250ish (For Now) 1986 SR86 - 200ish 1990 R32 GTR - 320hp Don't Buy Engines from JDM-Online #/f/businesses/207457-jdm-online.html Don't Buy XS-Power or SSAC Shit

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08-26-2012, 11:46 AM	#5
kouki_drifter Zilvia Member Join Date: Sep 2011 Location: new mexico Age: 35 Posts: 248 Trader Rating: (0) Feedback Score: 0 reviews	I know this is old but apex sucks! I just took my s14 sr20det to tune made 400hp 364ftlbs of torque to the wheels, got home went for a ride it redline in 1st gear and blew a dam apex multilayer hg! Look at this bullshit! Started smoking white burning coolant sucks!