How to hold headgasket in place when refitting head

[andyyy]

As per, when i try to put the head back on the head gasket falls away

Any way of holding it in place?

[Tom]

Put a bolt in the opposite end of the head to where the dowel is. So hold the head above the block line the gasket up on the dowel and the bolt then drop the head down on top?

[Paul_13]

There should be dowels in the block around 2 of the bolt holes.
These are essential that they're fitted other wise the head will not line up correctly

[andyyy]

There should be dowels in the block around 2 of the bolt holes.
These are essential that they're fitted other wise the head will not line up correctly

there was only 1 and it was in the head when i took the head off, its back on now seemed to line up okay i just picked the head and gasket up with two bolts already in if that makes sense

problem is now when torquing it all up i split the 220 degrees part into 90 90 and 40 and on the second 90 i broke the T55 piece i have

[Tom]

220 degrees seems like alot. Saying that when i got some tough headbolts, i went back to halfords 3 times in one day to replace t55 bits until they had none left lol

[andyyy]

220 degrees seems like alot. Saying that when i got some tough headbolts, i went back to halfords 3 times in one day to replace t55 bits until they had none left lol

Was just working off this it was in the stickies

http://306oc.co.uk/forum/attachment.php?aid=6184

Yeahh ill be going first thing in the am sick of it for now so going to leave it be till moro

[Chris_90]

Get an impact t55 won't go snapping them then

[andyyy]

Get an impact t55 won't go snapping them then

Thanks ill definately get one

Another weird thing the gasket that came out looks like it made of fiber glass ,maybe its asbestos? :S

[Danny2009]

Do not put a fiber gasket on!

There shit and that's where these get there name from of blowing gaskets

Put a multi layer steel gasket on MLS

[andyyy]

Do not put a fiber gasket on!

There shit and that's where these get there name from of blowing gaskets

Put a multi layer steel gasket on MLS

Yeah i put a MLS gasket on i was saying the gasket that came off was a fiber glass looking one.

I didnt know fiberglass ones were even put on these - surely not from factory?

[Danny2009]

Yea there from factory that's why they blow

[aggyj17]

I'm in the process of gathering parts for my engine and still need to get a headgasket. What make does everyone recommend?

[anto]

I cut the head off a used bolt, ground a slot in the head of it and it can be unscrewed when you have the head on.

[Ruan]

There should be dowels in the block around 2 of the bolt holes.
These are essential that they're fitted other wise the head will not line up correctly

Theres only one in an XUD

[Tom]

Its the DW10's that have 2 dowels.

[Paul_13]

And gti6's

[Dave]

there should be a tiny rivet where the different layers of the gasket are held together, and there should be a small hole in the middle of this. Drop a tiny pin through it, or nail and it will stop it slipping down the deck, and simply remove once you have the head on in place. This is how I've always done it and never had any issues.

[andyyy]

saying that if the fibre one is from stock cant be that bad seen as its done 172K !

Car up and running again now - with out the massive high pressure from before so big thanks

[Ruan]

Fibre ones aren't stock - they're MLS from the factory.

It's just that whenever the gasket goes due to the garage servicing the car not knowing how to bleed the system properly, they put on a Fibre one, then it blows again and gives XUDs a terrible reputation for head gaskets.

Seriously, in lower torque (<270lb.ft) cars, I've NEVER seen a head gasket go other than from incorrect bleeding or just plain old overheating it.

The biggest problem is when the gasket begins to go from overheating, they fill the head with air quite quickly and do airlock badly - once it starts going, it's a downhill spiral. Most cars would carry on for years with a slight weep... An XUD will just keep filling the head with air - once that happens, game over really.

[mr_fish]

Fibre ones aren't stock - they're MLS from the factory.

It's just that whenever the gasket goes due to the garage servicing the car not knowing how to bleed the system properly, they put on a Fibre one, then it blows again and gives XUDs a terrible reputation for head gaskets.

Seriously, in lower torque (<270lb.ft) cars, I've NEVER seen a head gasket go other than from incorrect bleeding or just plain old overheating it.

The biggest problem is when the gasket begins to go from overheating, they fill the head with air quite quickly and do airlock badly - once it starts going, it's a downhill spiral. Most cars would carry on for years with a slight weep... An XUD will just keep filling the head with air - once that happens, game over really.

Just torque the head bolts down a bit more eh Ruan? she'll be 'reet

[ally406]

If it's got a fibre gasket then it's been done before, and is probably the reason you are doing it again now. Make sure you get all that fibre shit cleaned off thoroughly. My dealership will do me a discount on an OE gasket if asked nicely which makes it not worth the effort of going aftermarket.