Head Gasket Kit

[Monty]

I just measured the material bit, actually a little difficult to measuer as there`s ridges/bumps etc but i never measured the main ring thickness. I`ll have another measure but can`t measure the AJUSA one as thats now on Pauls car

IMHO the lotus gasket doesn`t compress that much hence why you don`t need to recheck the head bolts.

[bobbrown]

IMHO the lotus gasket doesn`t compress that much hence why you don`t need to recheck the head bolts.

So what is the thickness of a NEW genuine gasket?

[Breed]

Dont know if its any help but Piper exhausts have a gasket making service by an american company and they will quote from a sample. They will also change them to meet your specifications. So if anyone has a original to lend them to get the quote it may be that it could be a source for a ongoing supply. The contact at Pipers for the gaskets is Peter and he is in the same office as the exhaust guys so the contact number is the same. When I spoke to them they said that to get it to about $40 dollars a gasket they would look for a order of about 10. Can't do any harm getting a quote but I do not have a head gasket to send them.

Bill

[bobbrown]

Dont know if its any help but Piper exhausts have a gasket making service by an american company and they will quote from a sample. They will also change them to meet your specifications. So if anyone has a original to lend them to get the quote it may be that it could be a source for a ongoing supply. The contact at Pipers for the gaskets is Peter and he is in the same office as the exhaust guys so the contact number is the same. When I spoke to them they said that to get it to about $40 dollars a gasket they would look for a order of about 10. Can't do any harm getting a quote but I do not have a head gasket to send them.

Bill

That may be all well and good BUT the issue is with aftermarket gaskets failing and this would be another aftermarket option and it would be difficult to know how they stand the test of time after all most of the originals have been on cars for over 16 years assuming they have never been changed.
I do appreciate that the gasket specification could be changed but to what, as it is all very well having the resources to test them but I do not think people would be up to changing the gasket more than is really needed and most myself included would only do it in the event of a head gasket failure.
I suppose if the originals were giving problems on cars with higher engine outputs then a gasket more in line with a competition one may be an option but they would be more expensive. I am thinking multi layered steel as used in Cosworth engines and they could be made by Cometic Gasket Inc in the USA as some of the Cosworth ones are but they would be much more expensive. These are also critical in terms of surface finish as the head to block faces do move and need to be 50RA or better.

Bob

[lotuska]

We've been round the head gasket problems before, comparing a replacement with an original Lotus one, check out the following link, this includes pictures and thickness etc.

Check the 4th post from the end on the link above.

Hope that helps.

[GeoffSmith]

That's why I couldn't find it - cunningly concealed in a "Valve Stem Oil Seal Replacement" thread!

[dapinky]

That's why I couldn't find it - cunningly concealed in a "Valve Stem Oil Seal Replacement" thread!

If it were any more cunning, you could tie a tail on it and call it a weasel, Baldrick!!!!

[Monty]

IMHO the lotus gasket doesn`t compress that much hence why you don`t need to recheck the head bolts.

So what is the thickness of a NEW genuine gasket?

From the other Link

Firstly I checked the thickness of each head gasket using my trusty micrometer...

Thickness of gasket material
- Lotus Original 1.22mm
- kmckmcs replacement 1.65mm

Thickness of "metal" bits around cylinders etc
- Lotus Original 1.35mm
- kmckmcs replacement 1.75mm

I could only do mine with digital calipers

Few approx measurements of Turbo Head Gaskets:-

Dico`s old USED stock HG (Silver)
Thickness- 1.21mm cylinder ring (Crushed)
Bore 80.8mm


Dico`s New aftermarket replacement AJUSA (dark grey)
Thickness- 1.28mm Material
Bore 81mm

Kmckmc`s HG (Black)
Thickness- 1.70mm cylinder ring
Material 1.65mm
Bore 81.2mm

[Specky]

Lotus N/A

Internal diameter 81.1 cm

Thickness 1.3 mm

TTFN

[bobbrown]

While having a little trawl on the internet I did find this little gem and it is worth noting.

"PLEASE NOTE: The 4XE1 DOHC 1.6 liter Non-turbo, 4XE1 DOHC 1.6 liter Turbo, use DIFFERENT PATTERN HEADGASKETS. Water flow through the block is controlled by the shape and size of the water jacket openings in the head gasket.
Using a 1.6 liter Turbo on a 1.6 liter Non-turbo engine will result in engine temperatures too low for the oil to properly lubricate the engine, resulting in rapid bearing wear and engine failure.
Using a 1.6 liter Non-turbo on a Turbocharged engine will result in inadequate engine cooling, overheating, oil breakdown and lubricant failure, head warpage, cracks in the engine's water jacket, and destruction of the engine."

Which explains why there are two different head gaskets, modifying the gasket where the water ways are could be detrimental.
Also the part number for some of the aftermarket head gaskets is the same for the non turbo and the turbo engines, so it may they have not got the cooling quite right and this may lead to head gasket failure.

Bob

[Dico]

After changing my non original gasket my tempreature gauge fluctuates slightly. I can only pray Christopher Neils supplied the turbo version

[GeoffSmith]

While having a little trawl on the internet I did find this little gem and it is worth noting.

"PLEASE NOTE: The 4XE1 DOHC 1.6 liter Non-turbo, 4XE1 DOHC 1.6 liter Turbo, use DIFFERENT PATTERN HEADGASKETS. Water flow through the block is controlled by the shape and size of the water jacket openings in the head gasket.
Using a 1.6 liter Turbo on a 1.6 liter Non-turbo engine will result in engine temperatures too low for the oil to properly lubricate the engine, resulting in rapid bearing wear and engine failure.
Using a 1.6 liter Non-turbo on a Turbocharged engine will result in inadequate engine cooling, overheating, oil breakdown and lubricant failure, head warpage, cracks in the engine's water jacket, and destruction of the engine."

Which explains why there are two different head gaskets, modifying the gasket where the water ways are could be detrimental.
Also the part number for some of the aftermarket head gaskets is the same for the non turbo and the turbo engines, so it may they have not got the cooling quite right and this may lead to head gasket failure.

Bob

Link?

Keep up at the back!

[Ekapol]

It costed me enough after few head gasket jobs. I stick with OEM Lotus (or Isuzu) head gasket from now on.