Outer Limits 4x4 Board

Hi all.I am having recurring head gasket problems.Vehicle is a '87 1.3 Sierra, 32-32 Weber,Camtech Stage 1 cam,ported head,extractors,2" stainless exhaust,Davies-Craig fan. Head has been planed, pressure tested and is O.K. Deck is level. I have used both Monotorque and Suzuki gaskets. Retorqueing has been carried out correctly on each occasion and using a professional torque wrench.Last time we gave each headbolt a whack with a hammer on tightening and that enabled a little more tension to be applied (up to normal specs).Locating dowels have been shaved to seat correctly.Am almost at the point of believing that Suzukis may not be the world's best 4WDs after all!!! Help........

What sort of compression are you running?

Hi,

I don't suppose that despite the fact that it's been pressure tested it may have a small fracture?

Have seen 'em up near the valves, and moreso in 16V motors, between the valves...

Adam

It sounds like you know what your doing so I guess you have checked the head bolts for bottoming in the thread holes of the block , if the head has been shaved a few times and the block decked, the bolts may be bottoming out preventing correct torque ,( A long shot but I have seen it happen before.)

In turn,compression is not so high, head has had two cleanups only.Secondly,I don't really think it is cracked as it takes a couple months for the problem to reappear.Lastly,I was not aware that the head bolts could be an issue.Do you pack them up or what's the go?

Pat Murray wrote:In turn,compression is not so high, head has had two cleanups only.Secondly,I don't really think it is cracked as it takes a couple months for the problem to reappear.Lastly,I was not aware that the head bolts could be an issue.Do you pack them up or what's the go?

just check that they screw in far enough and freely while the head is off , grind a little off if required or replace them if you suspect them to be stretched

Just replace them (the bolts) they are stretched and not holding the required torque.

O.K., thanks guys.Gives me something to work on.I wasn't looking forward to spending the money I'd saved for Series 3 R'Hoppers on another motor instead.