Dick,
Thicker-than-stock gaskets for XPAG/XPEG engines are not readily available,
unfortunately.
Even using Premium gas, it's not wise to go over 9 to 1 compression (about
160 lbs. cranking pressure, typically) with a cast-iron head and the
relatively primitive combustion chamber shapes found in Ts, As, Bs and
Midgets. The almost inevitable pinging will eventually destroy the rod
bearings or even crack a piston.
I've used two head gaskets in many engines, without problems. Of course,
it's sensible to use new head studs as well, to coat both gaskets with
Copper-Kote and to be very sure to re-torque as soon as the engine reaches
operating temperature, then again after about a dozen starts and stops of
the engine.
I also make it a habit to torque any head down when I first install it, then
re-torque it just before I start the engine. It's surprising how much even a
single head gasket will compress under initial torque and the second
go-round always gets some additional movement on the head nuts. Better to
spend a few moments re-torquing than to blow the gasket on start-up!
Lawrie
British Sportscar Center
-----Original Message-----
From: Dick Dell <rddell@mindspring.com>
To: Bob Peck <bobpeck@mother.com>; mg-t@autox.team.net <mg-t@autox.team.net>
Date: Sunday, June 27, 1999 6:53 AM
Subject: Re: overheating TF
>At 04:47 PM 6/26/99 -0700, you wrote:
>
>> I am using two <gaskets> as previous owner apparrently milled the head to
>>increase compression to about 9.6 to 1.
>>
>
>Bob,
>
>Just a quick note. While I have never used two gaskets myself I have heard
>that it is a practice to be avoided. Back in my hotrod days when we used to
>fool around with engines quite a bit I was tempted to use two gaskets to
>bring down the compression on an engine I'd bought. The engine rebuilder
>told me that was a sure way to blow head gaskets. Could this have been
>your problem from the beginning?
>
>My solution at the time was to use a single, extra thick gasket that was
>available from the speed shop. Not sure if such a thing is available for a
>T-series.
>
>Could you live with the 9.6 : 1 ? You're going to run premium gas anyway,
>I'm sure.
>
>Dick Dell
>
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