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Replace Head Gasket?

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Morris

Morris

Yoda
Offline
Chello All,

I have a '79 Midget. I currently have the intake and exhaust manifold off, and I am wondering if I should just go ahead and replace the head gasket. The only indications that there may be a problem with the current gasket are oil stains where the head meets the block.

Any thoughts?

Morris
 
If you feel the oil stains are from a leaky head gasket, go ahead and change it. At this point, most of the work is already done. They are not that expensive and changing it now will only take about an hour. I strongly recommend the Payen gasket, which is resin. It seals better and if you ever have to pull the head again, comes off much cleaner and is only a few bucks more.

Just beware of the "might as wells." That is if the head is off, you might as well do this and that.


Mike
 
Like three angle seats, guides, seals, port it, cc it... come to think of it, why not??
 
"The might as wells.."

I love it!

Thanks for the advice.

morris
 
Whoa Morris, I wouldn't be to hastey to pull the head unless your sure the gasket is bad. I'm not trying to put a damper on things. If it ain't broke, don't fix it, unless your a glutton for punishment. I suggest you think about it for a while. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/hammer.gif
 
I agree, these cars run best when you just leave them alone. I only "tinker" with things when they really needs tinkering. If you think the head gasket is leaking, try retorquing the head. If that doesn't work or you really think it may be going bad, then now would be a convenient time to replace it.
 
Well, it definitely looks like it is leaking a bit of oil, but there are no other symptons of a bad head gasket. No water in my exhaust, and the car (knock furiously on wood) never overheats.

Whatever happened to simple answers...
 
Morris, is the oil maybe migrating from another location? Possibly from the side or valve covers. I assume it's on the carb side. Possibly aaaaa, just had a brain fart, oh well. Oh, ok possibly condenstation mixed with exhaust carbon. Morris, I'm just throwing things out, no, I don't think your dumb or anything. Just trying to rack my old brain. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/hammer.gif
 
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