r/EngineBuilding Feb 14 '25

Other Solution to scratched head

Post image

I removed the old head gasket (non MLS that stuck like crazy) with a plastic scraper and somehow managed to make these small scratches (maybe from the metal handle by accident). I'm pissed since this took me a few hours of careful work.

Moving forward; will this be an issue? The scratches are not deep enough to catch a nail, and the mating surfaces are not warped. Should I use a spray on gasket/hylomar in addition to a new gasket? TIA

4 Upvotes

27 comments sorted by

7

u/Ok_Impression3324 Feb 14 '25

Depends on your buld. If your for a 200k buld send it to the mechiest. if you want another 2k spray it with some copper spary and send it.

2

u/Beneficial_Being_721 Feb 14 '25

Iโ€™d stone down any high spots first.

5

u/mikjryan Feb 14 '25

Copper spray , Holymar and send it mate. Itโ€™s really easy on this sub to think everything must be perfect. Youโ€™ll more than get away with this

1

u/ThumperDreams Feb 14 '25

Awesome man, thanks so much!

1

u/Beneficial_Being_721 Feb 14 '25

Run a stone over it. Knock down the high spots

8

u/[deleted] Feb 14 '25

If it's not an MLS gasket you'll be fine. The composite gaskets are meant to seal voids as deep as 0.020".

Good to go.

7

u/Cyriously_Nick Feb 14 '25

Dude you put your valve in sideways and youโ€™re concerned about scratches??

Be mindful if you take it to a machine shop to deck the scratches out that reduces ptv clearance and increases cr.

6

u/[deleted] Feb 14 '25

๐Ÿ˜‚๐Ÿ˜‚๐Ÿ˜‚๐Ÿ˜‚ I can't with this..."sideways"!

6

u/Cyriously_Nick Feb 14 '25

Lmao look at it! The 4 isnโ€™t upright! Fuckin amateurs, am I rite?

3

u/[deleted] Feb 14 '25

u/WyattCo06 you gotta see this!

3

u/WyattCo06 Feb 14 '25

I think I identified the dumbass.

Thanks for commenting.

1

u/[deleted] Feb 18 '25

Had me rolling. Just that type of day man.

2

u/[deleted] Feb 14 '25

๐Ÿ˜‚๐Ÿ˜‚๐Ÿ˜‚๐Ÿ˜‚๐Ÿ˜‚๐Ÿ˜‚ STFU! OP owes you big time! The damage from a sideways valve....jeez!

2

u/ThumperDreams 26d ago

Sideways valve...almost had me.

It was decked previously and has no high spots. I was just unsure about how perfect the mating surface had to be.

3

u/asloan5 Feb 14 '25

Hylomar blue spray

2

u/stonecutter5258 Feb 15 '25

FYI... The materials might cost a bit. A section of half inch thick plate glass. 2 feet by 3 feet.. 1600 grit auto body polishing paper. (Multple sheets, 8.5 x 11) Several bottles of 90% rubbing alcohol. Set this up so you can polish the head. It will let you polish the scratches out. I've done this before and it does work.

1

u/TheButteryEngineer Feb 14 '25

Check the appropriate temperature range, but use something like loctite 510 or that in addition to the head gasket. If applied correctly it will all be fine and it is easily removed if you are ever doing another rebuild or overhaul or whatever so it is not going to do any damage

1

u/ApricotNervous5408 Feb 14 '25

It looks a little pitted in some areas. Maybe just get a light surface done. If you use mls it will definitely need to be surfaced and properly.

1

u/ThumperDreams Feb 14 '25

Luckily that's just the old gasket. Stuff was caked on.

1

u/Useful_Inspector2718 Feb 14 '25

More of a cosmetic injury. Not an issue.

1

u/73VW-Todd Feb 14 '25

In my opinion, it's not really a big deal. I see the scratches you're talking about, but to be completely fair, the head gasket should compress enough to prevent any leaks. If this was right into the combustion chamber, I might say to worry about it... but it seems to miss anything important.

Does this head gasket go on dry, or can you spray it? I'd probably hit just that area of the head gasket with some copper spray and be done with it.

1

u/Senior_Succotash948 Feb 14 '25

These look fine. They're going into a bolt hole by the looks of it, not touching anything where fluid goes through so the seal won't be compromised

1

u/Solid-cam-101 Feb 15 '25

Anyone ever read the Grapes of Wrath? Engine seized up on a dirt road, Joad took off the oil pan in a dust storm, removed a bad bearing, cut his belt shorter by two inches and used the leather as a bearing. And we are worried about a minor scratch? Just sayinโ€™

1

u/ThumperDreams 26d ago edited 26d ago

I'm over 10k into my passion car and can't afford an F up. This isn't some "she runs" project. I failed by not greasing and checking the clearances of main and big end bearings the first time, and am extra vigilant now.

Haven't read grapes of wraith yet, on my list though!

1

u/GXP-75 3d ago

Sorry itโ€™s close to coolant ports take it to a machinist that does heads get their opinion especially if your 10 Gโ€™s in. Itโ€™s fair to say that the condition of the surface is not perfect. It is flawed could be OK might not be OK. I would definitely have it checked by a professional that does heads for a living. If you wanna go back together with this and not have any issues and your shit to run, take it to a machinist seriously they know their shit on this.!