Print

Please login or register.
1 Hour 1 Day 1 Week 1 Month Forever
Login with username, password and session length

[Dave G]

Hi folks, I'm starting to compile a (frightening) shopping list to put the top of my engine back together - after 'massive clattering noise'.

I fully understand about GM cylinder head gaskets and cam cover gaskets, so we can take that as read.

However, there are lots of 'minor' gaskets (e.g. exhaust), o-rings, nuts, bolts etc.. that I need. And T55 cylinder head bolts. And valves, and stem seals.

What are the opinions of Victor Reinz, Febi Bilstein and FAI. Elring crop up a lot but are apparently 'not that good'.
I expect Contitech for the cambelt kit in due course as well.

Any opinions would be most appreciated.

[Nick W]

A head gasket set will provide every gasket/seal you need to refit the heads. That includes things like the valve stem seals, inlet and exhaust gaskets, new seals for the upper manifolds, cam covers and others. Any of the brands you mentioned will do the job, including Elring - I used the entire Elring set when I did mine, although I doubt you'll find one for the £12.50 I paid . What does not that good actually mean?

The gasket set doesn't include the head bolts, which are another £25ish.

[Dave G]

Well, iirc it was The Boy.
Can’t locate the exact quote at the mo.
But if they’re OK then no worries.

[Nick W]

Well, iirc it was The Boy.
Can’t locate the exact quote at the mo.
But if they’re OK then no worries.

Oh. But he could break water

[STEMO]

Well, iirc it was The Boy.
Can’t locate the exact quote at the mo.
But if they’re OK then no worries.

Oh. But he could break water

And wind. In fact, he frequently does 

[TheBoy]

I used pattern ones both times on my 3.0l when the HG failed

[TheBoy]

Well, iirc it was The Boy.
Can’t locate the exact quote at the mo.
But if they’re OK then no worries.

Oh. But he could break water

And wind. In fact, he frequently does 

You're just jealous at my level of confidence when breaking wind....

[TheBoy]

Cam cover gaskets I always used genuine, as they did seem to last better than pattern, and were similar cost and very convenient.  Those last 2 factors might not be true nowadays.

[Dave G]

I’m really struggling to find new camshaft sprocket bolts.

They’re rated as 10.9 strength but all I can find are stronger 12.9 rated items from (for instance) Boltworld. They have a different head and are fully threaded.

https://boltworld.co.uk/products/m10-x-80mm-socket-head-cap-screws-fully-threaded-grade-12-9-self-colour-din-912/

Tempted to re-use the originals. They’ve only been tightened once…!
Any other suggestions?

[Nick W]

I reused mine without a second thought.


I did replace the exhaust manifold studs and nuts because I've struggled with them in the past. But they're standard M8 parts readily and cheaply available.

[GastronomicKleptomaniac]

I've bought from these before. I've obviously never tested to see if the tensile strength is up to spec but their stainless fixings have lasted well enough.

https://ebay.us/m/qr4nXT

[Dave G]

Thinking I might thoroughly clean the existing bolts and internal threads in the camshafts then re-use the bolts with some thread lock. Just a thought.
Whether to angle tighten to the full stretch though …. ?

To NickW, I have all the exhaust studs/nuts etc sorted and on order.
Thanks mate.