Should I pull both heads??

[rbezdon]

I am looking for opinions as to what can cause a head gasket to burn through to the adjacent cylinder right under the head bolt. There was definately no overheating or even a niticable loos in power when it happened. Running WOT for maybe two minutes and when I slowed up ti idle the engine was running on 6 of the eight. No smoke and no water in the oil, just a rough idle. So far I have checked the head bolts (someone I know said they saw this from a cracked head bolt) but all sem OK. Could have been a deffective gasket (I'll never know) or bad torque when the rebuilder assembled it. Any other suggestions and second, do I need to remove the other head?? I hope some of you repair shop guys can let me know what you do when a "V" engine blows a head gasket. Do you always replace them both???

 

[rodbolt]

Re: Should I pull both heads??

I would<br /> also check the deck and head surfaces for flatness. the maximum spec is in your manual.when ya go back use good quality gaskets from merc or fel-pro. those gaskets dont need a re-torque after run in .

 

[Trent]

Re: Should I pull both heads??

So would I... Just a few more min.

 

[rbezdon]

Re: Should I pull both heads??

Thanks Rod and Trent, it took 30 to 40 minutes to pull the second head. All looks OK there but there was a big difference in the torque need to remove some of the bolts. Most came off fairly easy with a 1/2 inch drive ratchet, maybe 30 ot 40 foot lbs again but 3 were not nearly as tight and one I couldnt do with the ratchet, had to use the longer breaker bar. Seems unusual. Would this happen from heating and cooling?? I cant believe a pro rebuilder wouldnt torque them all evenly, its too basic. Both heads had this condition.<br /><br />By the way, would all you shop guys really recommend to customers to do both heads?? 30 min off, 45 back on, $35 for hd gasket, $10 for exhaust, $5 for riser, $75 per hour thats an extra $150 or so.

 

[fendersfender]

Re: Should I pull both heads??

yep..both heads, to be on the safe side...when you're on the water, everything needs to be top notch

 

[rbezdon]

Re: Should I pull both heads??

Well, I have done it but my extra labor is free fo me so its only costing the second set of gaskets but I think it would be a hard sell to someone for a big chunk of change. I bet most shops just fix the broken one and move on to the next job.

 

[rodbolt]

Re: Should I pull both heads??

yep<br /> did ya check the surface flatness with a straight edge and a feeler gauge? if not ya may get to try again.me I am lazy and really would not want the job, however if I am being paid as a professional I may as well do it right. guess I have the training, knowledge and experience so I can use it. over the years you would not believe some of the "remans" I have had apart. everything from missing rod cap bolts to missing cam bolts to warped heads and cracked blocks. so nothing suprises me.