and so it begins

IHateHacks · 04-09-2007, 12:41 AM

With the block still installed in the vehicle, you can lap the block yourself by hand, but the lapping tool is like $400 and you need lapping compound. And you need to remove the dowel pins that are in the block (that help line up the head). And they don't just come out, you need to use a special puller. Plus it takes hours, upon hours to lap the block by hand, you are looking at, at least 12 hours of hand lapping, probably more if the block surface is really bad. Or you can rip the block out, strip it down and send it to a machine shop. Which is alot easier said than done.

Just use a stock replacement head gasket. Trust me, your block sealing surface is not in good enough condition for a metal head gasket. The block surface needs to be in brand new condition as in "straight off the assembly line" condition. The factory head gasket leaves "bite marks" in the block surface that need to be fully removed in order for a metal head gasket to not leak.

04-09-2007, 12:41 AM	#11
IHateHacks 20psi boost Join Date: May 2006 Location: New Haven/Hamden Posts: 793	With the block still installed in the vehicle, you can lap the block yourself by hand, but the lapping tool is like $400 and you need lapping compound. And you need to remove the dowel pins that are in the block (that help line up the head). And they don't just come out, you need to use a special puller. Plus it takes hours, upon hours to lap the block by hand, you are looking at, at least 12 hours of hand lapping, probably more if the block surface is really bad. Or you can rip the block out, strip it down and send it to a machine shop. Which is alot easier said than done. Just use a stock replacement head gasket. Trust me, your block sealing surface is not in good enough condition for a metal head gasket. The block surface needs to be in brand new condition as in "straight off the assembly line" condition. The factory head gasket leaves "bite marks" in the block surface that need to be fully removed in order for a metal head gasket to not leak. Last edited by IHateHacks; 04-09-2007 at 12:43 AM.