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These are pics of my 83 motor that I just pulled the head off of. The PO installed the head with NO HEAD GASKET and slathered it with grey RTV, gluing it to the block and making it nearly impossible to remove. It took me over 3 hours to remove the head once the head stud nuts were removed, and I was extremely careful to not mar the surface of the deck; but of course I ever so slightly dinged it. I took a very fine file to the spots and smoothed them out just the smallest bit and I think they are fine, but I figured I'd post em up here. Just not exactly sure what is acceptable as far as imperfections on the head gasket mating surface. As you can see, they are all pretty far toward the outer edge and not deep. The one in the 2nd image is the worst, but still very shallow. You can just every so slightly feel it brushing your finger tip over it. The large indent in the 3rd image is supposed to be there, I am talking about the scuff next to it and the two small marks below it. I also put a small mark on the cam tower. The damn thing was glued together, I had no choice but to pry it apart as carefully as I could. Thanks guys!
As long as the imperfections are below the surface (not sticking proud), I'd just clean the surface really well with some green scotchbrite and go with it.
If you use emery cloth or scotchbrite, don't overwork one area and create a shallow part. Use a straight edge to make sure it stays level. I think you're going to have a tough time getting a good seal. Take your time and don't be in a hurry.
Boy you sure have a knack for finding the worse blocks.
Also noticed this today, a small chip next to the water jacket. Yes, I absolutely have had the ****tiest possible luck with these cars the past 18 months. Guess its my karma for having a mostly trouble free 951 for 5 years. I cleaned the deck surface as well as I could with a wire wheel, I'm going to use copper permatex spray on the deck side of the HG and hope it seals up. That's really all I can do at this point. This is block number 4 and I can't afford any more.
I have some aluminum brazing rod and a propane torch. Should I try to fill the marks and then dress flat vs just leaving it alone? None of them honestly look that bar vs some other scratches I've seen on decks of other types of engines.
would filling the marks with a tiny amount of high temp RTV and then scraping it flush with a razor blade and letting it cure before installing the HG with permatex copper spray be a better option?
What? Really? RTV??? Did it work...at all? For how long? Who ever did that deserves a good public shaming on this BBD!
Near as I can tell, no it blew out near the fire ring. I doubt it last more than a single heat cycle, resulting in the motor being sold off to the guy I bought it from who claimed to have bought it and never installed it; knows nothing about it yada yada. Thus is became my problem..
06-06-2016, 02:22 AM
Is the head gasket surface of this block OK?
