Just no luck - HGF No 2 - oil in coolant

[jamherber]

So finally got the head off. Nothing glaringly obvious (following these pictures we started the clean-up and still couldn't see what the main problems was):-

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What we did find though was the head bolts came undone easier than we were expecting. Then we realised that on reassembly, we hadn't spotted the part in the manual specifying the head bolts threads & between washer & cap-head needed to be oiled on assembly.

Totally my mistake as spent the last 20 years working on K series engines where it's a total no-no to do this. On the Elan engine, this would have led to a far reduced clamping load on the head gasket which we suspect allowed a slight weep from the high pressure oil feel across to the very close was jacket hole on the block. Every day is a school day I guess!

We have a Felpro head gasket ready to fit but have a couple of concerns - if you look at the picture below, the elastomer 'rings' on one side of the gasket are below the level of the gasket material:-

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Is this normal? I guess the gasket material compresses enough to allow these to seal or they are protruding enough from the other side that they will centralise on compression.

[RonR]

I've just checked my spare Lotus head gasket and the elastomer rings are proud of the gasket material.

Your car, your choice, but given the amount of effort needed to remove the head, I'd be fitting the Lotus / Isuzu Turbo head gasket - There are stories on here of 3rd party gaskets having to be replaced after only a short time.

[Tuga2112]

AFAIR the lotus gasket is not the same as the isuzu gasket.

im pretty sure i have seen a thread going in detail about it, and some of the holes were different in the lotus one. hopefully someone (Dave?) will be able to clarify.

[jamherber]

Unfortunately the Lotus / Isuzu gaskets are no longer available and haven't been for some time, else we would be using one for sure.

The gasket was purchased from a long standing member on here who I understand, had used this make of gasket in the past without any issues.

[Tuga2112]

have you contacted Mike at SWLC ?

[jamherber]

have you contacted Mike at SWLC ?

Yeah I did originally last year and I believe he said at the time that he was trying to get the Fel-Pro gasket into stock from the US I think (confirming that the OEM was no-longer available). It is the Fel-Pro gasket that we have.

[Simon_P]

AFAIR the lotus gasket is not the same as the isuzu gasket.

Having had one in lotus branded packaging and one in Isuzu packaging they were identical.

im pretty sure i have seen a thread going in detail about it, and some of the holes were different in the lotus one.

That is the N/A vs Turbo gasket - there is a Tab on the end of the Turbo Gasket to visually identify it.

Is this normal? I guess the gasket material compresses enough to allow these to seal or they are protruding enough from the other side that they will centralise on compression.

Yes, in this position the graphite gasket material is just holding it in position - they aren't tight if you give it a push you can move it. It is the metal bit in the middle that does the sealing have you measured it?

[jamherber]

So to update, we now need another head gasket

On reassembly, trying to locate the head on the dowels, the back edge of the head brushed lightly against the head gasket but it was enough to pull some of the printed elastomer from the surface .

Gutted. No back to the e-mail rounds to see what supplier had what gasket at what price. The SJS one is now £95 delivered! Expensive day!

Has anyone got an OEM one in stock they would be willing to part with?

[jamherber]

So on eBay that moment is an Isuzu Impulse head gasket that in the model list, lists the turbo engine application.

Comparing the physical layout of the holes etc, it looks to be the same gasket. Would it work?

https://ebay.us/m/f2f5a5

[Tuga2112]

i dont think you will find anyone with the answer for that. its a matter of biting the bullet and letting others know what your finding are.

[jamherber]

i dont think you will find anyone with the answer for that. its a matter of biting the bullet and letting others know what your finding are.

Not sure we can face doing it for a third time anytime soon if the gasket isn't any good - car is booked on the Isle of Man seloc trip in June to ramp up the pressure.

So far I've contacted Classic Team Lotus, PNM, SWLC and Lotus Bits for info on their head gaskets but only Mike from SWLC has responded - he has an 'Apex' make of gasket available but I can't find any information on it - Apex seem to be a company that source parts from other manufacturers, so I guess the quality will be a bit of an unknown.

Looks like we'll have to part with £100 for the SJS item I guess, with the lack of response from the other suppliers, as we need it here for the weekend to fit.

[Tuga2112]

to be honest with you. i would give Mike's stock a go, he has a good reputation, i would assume if hes gasket is no bueno, he should rectify the issue. i think the fact he replies and gets in touch in the facebook groups demonstrates a degree of effort to get the business and i would assume he will value he's reputation more than SJS

[jamherber]

We found a very kind soul in Facebook who had an old stock OEM Isuzu turbo gasket available (the correct part number 8944636780 ) - deal was done and it arrived today. Very lucky to find one!

So on Sunday, we'll test fit the head with the knackered gasket, this time will mark up the head and block with paint to we have reference points on both ends of the engine, then will fit the new gasket and keep everything crossed. Have new head-bolts this time as well ready to fit.

[Tuga2112]

can you please post a picture of this gasket. because we can then try compare that to the ebay one you posted.

if they look the same i will probably get the one off ebay as a spare for a rainy day.. even tho my SE already had the gasket swapped 8 years ago

[jamherber]

can you please post a picture of this gasket. because we can then try compare that to the ebay one you posted.

if they look the same i will probably get the one off ebay as a spare for a rainy day.. even tho my SE already had the gasket swapped 8 years ago

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[TorqueHorse]

Thanks for posting that! I hope it does the trick.
I can't see any obvious differences from the last FelPro one I got...