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[TR] Head Gasket Decision Time

Subject: [TR] Head Gasket Decision Time
From: terryrs at comcast.net (terryrs at comcast.net)
Date: Tue, 30 Aug 2011 21:55:18 +0000 (UTC)
Okay.  Don't think archives are going to help with this one.
Blew a headgasket last season after 50k miles.  Replaced it, blew it again 
within 2k.
This time I had the head shaved (yep, it was indeed warped) and sourced a 
gasket from Gasketworks.  It came imprinted "TR4."  Don't think that makes a 
difference since the holes lined up.  
But...also asked for the rings to superglue around the chambers since one of my 
liners is no longer proud.  Installed it all. Reassembled everything, and 
poured coolant in.  Now have a steady stream of coolant coming from underneath 
the manifold.  Can't see it, but can't remember a freeze plug there, so 
conclude it's coming from the head/block because of a poor seal.
The gasket is not the usual type.  It's a flat sheet of copper.  And unlike 
Randall's fix, the rings were a thin band of steel.  So, ....
How likely is it that the block is warped too, or is it that the rings should 
be copper like Randall's so there's more compressability there.
Trying to figure out whether I just give up and pull the engine to break it all 
down and take to the machine shop, or whether I should mirror Randall's fix 
with the stock gasket and make my own rings to superglue on...out of copper 
this time.
Thoughts?

Terry Smith, '59 TR3A
New Hampshire

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