[Fot] Head Gasket questions

[Jim Norlin]

I've had a similar problem on my 1300. At the end of the 2012 season, 
the head gasket blew out at number 4.  The path of failure was quite 
obvious, going first into that tooling hole and then to the water 
passage.  I replaced the gasket at the track, ran the next day and 
forgot about it over the winter.  Three races later, the gasket blew at 
number 1, taking a similar path through the tooling hole.

I had the head freshened by my engine builder and discussed the problem 
with him.  He suggested filling the holes as has been discussed.  I 
machined some aluminum plugs to fit in the holes and left them proud of 
the block surface by a 3 thou or so to allow them to press into the 
gasket.  I've only got one weekend on the engine since doing that, so 
it's too early to declare success, but it does seem like a logical solution.

On 5/20/2014 11:20 AM, Jim Gray wrote:
> Mark,
> I would use a tapered aluminum plug to fill the holes.
> I have lots of them in different sizes.
> You might also look at the head stud bosses for cracks.
> That's been known to cause gasket failures in tr4's.
> Let me know if you want some plugs.
> Jim g
>
> Sent from my iPhone
>
> On May 20, 2014, at 11:18 AM, Diesel Performance Parts - Info
> <info at dieselperformanceparts.com> wrote:
>
>> Afternoon Membership,
>>
>> I need some help.  Got a race 1500 that keeps popping the head gasket. It's
>> decked and is using the Payen AK520 gasket. When I shop around for gaskets
> for
>> the 1300-1500 non recessed blocks there are two different Payen gaskets
> part
>> numbers that are available  the AK520  and an AK260.  Does anyone know what
>> the difference is and if I should be using the AK260.  I got the engine with
> a
>> car and the AK520 is what was on it when it popped the first time so I
>> replaced it with the same thing. The deck is flat and so is the head.  I
> see
>> maybe a little blow by on #4 near the hole that is in the block that is
>> approx. 3/8" deep and 3/8" round that is a dead end hole.  Number 1 has the
>> same hole in the same place as well. Must be there for manufacturing
> purposes
>> as it serves no use that I can see.  The #4 fire ring is really close to
> that
>> hole and it looks like maybe it let it lift there and then pressurized the
>> coolant system????
>>
>> So got 2 questions, what the diff between a AK 520 and an AK260 and which
>> should I use???
>> Should I JB Weld up the two holes and dress them flat to eliminate that as
>> being a gasket failure area??
>>
>> Thanks!!
>>
>> Mark Craig
>> Diesel Performance Parts, INC.
>> 411 Allied Drive
>> Nashville, TN 37211
>> 866-455-7788 Phone
>> 615-834-9923 Fax
>>
>> www.dieselperformanceparts.com
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