Re: T3 Cometic Head Gasket Coolant Leak
It's back together with a polished head bottom deck and block top deck. Aircraft sealant was used on the exposed surfaces of the gasket and on both the head and block. I'll pressurize the cooling system to see if coolant is leaking between the layers of the gasket tomorrow. If it leaks... well, we'll see where I go from here.
Re: T3 Cometic Head Gasket Coolant Leak
Each time I've reused a Cometic I've drilled out the rivets, cleaned each layer real well and then sprayed each side of each layer with copper gasket sealant. Don't go too thick on the spray on the inner layers, just a light coating so the copper color is nice & visible, too much and it will squish out into the cooling passages and potentially block them if it dries like that. Lay each layer on the block after spraying, then put the head on and torque down. No leaks any time I've done that. Results have been 50/50 upon removal of the head if the gasket is reuseable after that; sometimes one of the layers has gotten bent when pulling the head off since one end stuck to the block and the other to the head.
Hopefully this one will seal well for you.
Re: T3 Cometic Head Gasket Coolant Leak
Quote:
Originally Posted by
DOHCRT
A trick I learned from Neil Emiro and one that I use on all of my TIII's is to use a stock (FelPro) TII gasket and drill a few holes in the head to line up the cooling passages with the gasket. Now I can us any stock TII gasket and not have to worry about modification if something happens away from home base. I have been running this mod since around 2000 and Neil has used it prior to that. 21-25 psi has not been a problem and once the Holset goes on this winter we will look to up the ante.
+1 to drilling a T2 gasket to match the T3 head. I pulled the head off the car last weekend and installed a drilled FelPro gasket. I'll put plates on the car and test it out over the next week or so, then pressure test the coolant system again to make sure things are still sealed up. In the mean time the car will be getting an all-new stainless steel exhaust since my old G body aluminized system that was on the car turned to swiss cheese over the last couple years.
I wanted to pull the head gasket anyway, as the starter quit working while the car was stored in my garage. The aftermarket starter only lasted a couple years before failing (likely because the heat shield turned to rust). I added some extra insulation/shielding to the new starter in an attempt to extend its life.
Re: T3 Cometic Head Gasket Coolant Leak
I hope the Viper isn't getting driven on those salted roads;)
Re: T3 Cometic Head Gasket Coolant Leak
Quote:
Originally Posted by
2.216VTurbo
I hope the Viper isn't getting driven on those salted roads;)
No worries about that, I have a 2003 S600 Mercedes for winter driving. I needed something with at least 600 lb-ft of torque for those cold days.
Re: T3 Cometic Head Gasket Coolant Leak
The car is back together with the re-worked Felpro head gasket. I drove the car every day this week and it has been great. The new 304 stainless steel exhaust sounds great as well.
Re: T3 Cometic Head Gasket Coolant Leak
Quote:
Originally Posted by
jckrieger
+1 to drilling a T2 gasket to match the T3 head. I pulled the head off the car last weekend and installed a drilled FelPro gasket. I'll put plates on the car and test it out over the next week or so, then pressure test the coolant system again to make sure things are still sealed up. In the mean time the car will be getting an all-new stainless steel exhaust since my old G body aluminized system that was on the car turned to swiss cheese over the last couple years.
I wanted to pull the head gasket anyway, as the starter quit working while the car was stored in my garage. The aftermarket starter only lasted a couple years before failing (likely because the heat shield turned to rust). I added some extra insulation/shielding to the new starter in an attempt to extend its life.
from my expriance the starter fail sounds like it's from lack of use
most every fwd mopar I've let sit in the driveway for more than 3 months without trying to start them .. always ended up needing a starter after sitting unused
starter fails in 3 months of sitting .. rearview mirror always falls off the windshield at around 4 months lol