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Thread: MLS headgasket prep

  1. #1
    turbo addict
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    MLS headgasket prep

    Kind of a dumb question, but has anyone had any luck using an MLS headgasket on a factory block surface? Even though it's smooth, I don't think it's that smooth.

    I really don't want to pull this block apart because the bottom end is all good, so I'm trying to avoid a machine shop trip just to deck it.

  2. #2
    turbo addict Pat's Avatar
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    Re: MLS headgasket prep

    I have had zero issues, even with a stock block surface. I always use copper spray on the gasket, torque and retorque. Never had a problem.

  3. #3
    Slugmobile & MeanMini Caretaker Turbo Mopar Contributor wheming's Avatar
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    Re: MLS headgasket prep

    Quote Originally Posted by Pat View Post
    I have had zero issues, even with a stock block surface. I always use copper spray on the gasket, torque and retorque. Never had a problem.
    Nobody likes a show-off Pat!
    Click image for larger version. 

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    Wayne H.

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  4. #4
    turbo addict
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    Re: MLS headgasket prep

    You would be amazed at what the blocks look like on some of the headgasket jobs I've done and they've never come back. People run straight tap water and the block looks atrocious. If the block surface is iffy, I spray gasket sealant on the block side only. I havent used a mls on our engines but all others I've done had a sealing material on the gasket already.

  5. #5
    Super Moderator Turbo Mopar Staff 135sohc's Avatar
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    Re: MLS headgasket prep

    Quote Originally Posted by Pat View Post
    I have had zero issues, even with a stock block surface. I always use copper spray on the gasket, torque and retorque. Never had a problem.
    Ditto.

    The great daily driver experiment Shadow has a cometic at whatever the next thickness above 'stock' is because the head has been cut 2x now. Pretty sure the ding dong who did the engine in 2011 didn't touch the deck so its original chrysler. I use a maroon scotchbrite and WD-40 by hand to clean any crusty stuff and let it roll.
    1994 Shadow Sedan. 2.2 N/A, A568 400,000 miles. "the science experiment"
    1987 Shelby CSX #418. Long term rebuild and restore ?

  6. #6
    Slugmobile & MeanMini Caretaker Turbo Mopar Contributor wheming's Avatar
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    Re: MLS headgasket prep

    You can get Cometic's all the way down to 0.027" for our 8v's.
    They also have 0.030, 0.036, 0.040, and some other thicker ones i can't remember off the top of my head.
    I think they can do just about any custom thickness if there's not one on the shelf you need.
    Wayne H.

    '91 Dodge Spirit ES 2.5L turbo 5spd
    '05 PT GT 2.4T HO autostick (RIP)
    '89 Plymouth Acclaim 2.5L turbo auto, "Slugmobile" yes, THE Slugmobile!
    '89 Dodge Caravan SE 2.5L turbo auto, "Mean Mini" yes, Gus' Mean Mini! (Current best 11.699 @ 114.43 mph! - Oct 15th, 2022 Cecil County Dragway, MD)
    MeanMini dragracing videos: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?lis...URZLB1RxGYF6vw
    and other cars, trucks and motorcycles
    https://www.youtube.com/user/SlugmobileMeanMini

  7. #7
    Mitsu booster
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    Re: MLS headgasket prep

    To breath some life back into this thread... How do you determine what thickness of Cometic head gasket you need? I'm going to have to resurface my head before it goes on and I have no way of knowing for sure if it's been surfaced before, but odds are it has. This engine was gone through by someone else. That much I'm sure of.

  8. #8
    Super Moderator Turbo Mopar Staff 135sohc's Avatar
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    Re: MLS headgasket prep

    https://imgur.com/ZYiQkYw From my current in progress head re-do.

    On the front of the head there is a recessed area on the bump out from the casting next to the t-stat box. "stock" should be around 3/32" or .090~ish deep. A pair of calipers would be accurate enough to get an idea of how much has been removed.

    Unless the damage is bad a piece of flat stone or metal or plate glass and some 320-400-600 grit wet-dry will clean up the deck surface without removing as much material as a fly cutter.
    1994 Shadow Sedan. 2.2 N/A, A568 400,000 miles. "the science experiment"
    1987 Shelby CSX #418. Long term rebuild and restore ?

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