damn rivets

MKTURBO3

New Member
Jun 8, 2007
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NEWYORK
so when i did my motor i didnt know that the rivets needed to be taking out. what do you know... im getting lots of white smoke at first start up and i smell coolant while driving. i have no signs of bhg expect for the white smoke and smell. i have about 10k on the rebuild im sure the hg didnt seal properly would retorqueing help me here.? what would be the best choice for me. any help will be great!
 

SLO-MK3

Not on the 1jz bandwagon
Nov 4, 2006
246
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Plumas Lake, CA
IJ.;940446 said:
There is a rivet in the MHG which when installed holds the head off the gasket slightly, it needs to be removed.

I thought that was an old thing, and new MHGs didn't have that problem.
 

jdub

Official SM Expert: Motor Oil, Lubricants & Fil
SM Expert
Feb 10, 2006
10,730
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Valley of the Sun
IJ.;940446 said:
There is a rivet in the MHG which when installed holds the head off the gasket slightly, it needs to be removed.

And if it's doing this ^^^
A re-torque is not going to fix it...the head has to be removed.
 

IJ.

Grumpy Old Man
Mar 30, 2005
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I come from a land down under
If the Deck hasn't been cut it only just clears.

It's only 1 rivet at the front side that's a problem.

I use a small pair of sidecutters to squash then pull the rivet out so there's no risk of damaging the gasket or the viton coating.
 

jdub

Official SM Expert: Motor Oil, Lubricants & Fil
SM Expert
Feb 10, 2006
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Valley of the Sun
You will likely have to strip the Viton coating off (Acetone or paint thinner & a scrub pad). When clean, apply a good coat of copper spray to replace the Viton and it should be good to go.
 

selfinfliction

New Member
Dec 11, 2007
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ky
IJ.;940453 said:
Last HKS Stopper I bought still had it.....

Ditto on a retorque WON'T seal it up once the coolant has got onto the Viton.

so your $300+ gasket had the same rivet issue that cometics have?
 

arz

Arizona Performance
Nov 14, 2005
955
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Mesa, AZ
www.ArizonaPerformance.com
I have installed 3 different Cometic mhg's they all had the rivet. I know you guys will all poo poo me but I have reused MHG's more than once and know a couple of others that have also, and always had good results. If you are the one to do the R&R on the head, I would re-use the used MHG and clean the dirt and extra stuff but I have never removed the viton from the gasket except to make sure that the only piece that wasnt missing was between the cylinders. If you are going to pay someone I would probably use a new one, as they probably wont be as clean and careful as you.
 

89whitepkg

I hate rust !
Mar 7, 2006
121
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Lexington, KY
IJ.;940466 said:
If the Deck hasn't been cut it only just clears.

It's only 1 rivet at the front side that's a problem.

I use a small pair of sidecutters to squash then pull the rivet out so there's no risk of damaging the gasket or the viton coating.

I'm about to put in my Cometic and I'm not really clear on how to get this rivet out without messing anything up. Can someone elaborate on this? Also, the viton coating, is this already on the gasket or is this something that need to be applied before installing?