MHG question

[kotu100]

I have a used Cometic MHG, and a new HKS MHG.
the HKS is a 1.2mm and with my machined head and block this is insufficent.
my cometic, i cant remember exactly what size it is but i did the math to get the correct size when i did the rebuild the 1st time.

my question is, instead of cleaning all the viton off the old cometic and spraying with copper spray, could i remove all rivets and mix and match using the HKS outer layers and the cometic shim?
it is NOT stopper HKS gasket, and both have 3 layers.

 

[hvyman]

I would not mix match or consider mismatching. Just clean the one or use the one.

 

[kotu100]

i've tried everything to get this viton off and it wont budge, i cant really spend 10 hrs trying to clean this thing...
i used acetone, paint stripper, brakleen, gasoline, surface prep, spray gun cleaner. none of it even softened it up.

i really only wanna do this once, so i'll try a few more things, any suggestions?

 

[gaboonviper85]

Buy a new gasket.

 

[kotu100]

thats not an option, why wouldnt i reuse a perfectly good gasket before i wasted the money on a new one.

 

[hvyman]

I would try soaking it in acetone for a while and then come back and try to scrub it off. Its not going to come off easy and there are many threads about this. Its not a quick or easy job.

 

[gaboonviper85]

Cause cometics are cheap...

Your call...I'm lazy and don't have an issue spending money if it's convient:-/

 

[paradox616]

Cause cometics are cheap...

Your call...I'm lazy and don't have an issue spending money if it's convient:-/

+1, i ended up just buying a new cometic the correct thickness.
have you inspected the gasket carefully to make sure its even reusable? IJ. had a few posts on cleaning a MLS head gasket maybe search for them.

Have you Tried brake cleaner?

 

[kotu100]

i've read multiple threads about reusing MHG, including Ian's.
nothing suggested is working to help in taking the viton off. and like Ian i dont want to use an abrasive on it.

i really dont see what the big problem is with swapping out shims.
all it is, is a different thickness sheetmetal.

the mating surfaces of the gasket are still good, the HG doesnt even have 5k miles on it.
i would just use the 1.2mm HKS but its too thin.

 

[hvyman]

The thing i see wrong with swapping shims is there made by different companies and might have some differences. If you want to experiment go for it.

 

[kotu100]

ill grab some super close macro pics of the shims tomorrow, they look identical.

 

[gaboonviper85]

Why are you asking us for our "blessing" when you already have your mind made up?

You do what you want but so far everyone recomends you get a new gasket.

Your car....your motor....your choice!

 

[IJ.]

Make sure the thin pieces don't hang into the cylinder at all and I'd say it'd be fine to do.
(ie: same diameter hole in all 3 sections and that everything else lines up ok)

 

[kotu100]

Why are you asking us for our "blessing" when you already have your mind made up?

You do what you want but so far everyone recomends you get a new gasket.

Your car....your motor....your choice!

im not asking for your blessing, i just simply wanted more opinions, or to see if anyone had done this before.
and 3 members is by no means "everyone"

if no one tried new things, and did what everyone else said, where would we be today?


Ian thanks for the tip, ill measure everything and not just check it by eye.

 

[kotu100]

Well I'm not gonna bother with it, the hg's are 2 different bores.

 

[IJ.]

Well I'm not gonna bother with it, the hg's are 2 different bores.

LOL entire thread would have been saved by a simple overlay comparison

 

[kotu100]

Ya that's true, I didn't take em apart till this morning tho.
The shim has the stock bore, the hks hg was oversized.

 

[IJ.]

Wouldn't have had to take them apart to do an overlay

 

[kotu100]

Hadn't thought of that
doh!

 

[IJ.]

LOL you will if there's a next time though so it's not all fail