which head gasket should i use?

[Zekarus]

hi guys. i'm rebuilding my motor and got today the block and head back. 0,2mm where removed on the head and 0,1mm on the block. so all together 0,3mm. std head gasket is 0,64mm and cometic has 0,91 and 1,02mm head gaskets. and a four week delivery time . i also have new JE 87,5mm pistons and dbilas 288/280 cams - 12,75/12,5mm. and i got an Athena cut ring gasket in hand which is 1,2mm thick. soooo what should I do?

[stash1]

hi guys. i'm rebuilding my motor and got today the block and head back. 0,2mm where removed on the head and 0,1mm on the block. so all together 0,3mm. std head gasket is 0,64mm and cometic has 0,91 and 1,02mm head gaskets. and a four week delivery time . i also have new JE 87,5mm pistons and dbilas 288/280 cams - 12,75/12,5mm. and i got an Athena cut ring gasket in hand which is 1,2mm thick. soooo what should I do?

Are you staying NA or going FI? If you're staying NA, why not just go w/a factory (Elring) headgasket, and enjoy a slight compression bump...assuming your PTV clearance is ok.

[Zekarus]

Staying NA and yeah right thanks that's an option too. PTV should be okay according to the cam spec sheet I guess?

[stash1]

Staying NA and yeah right thanks that's an option too. PTV should be okay according to the cam spec sheet I guess?

I believe that the spec sheet is just pointing out the recommended PTV clearance...I'm assuming that either you and/or the machine shop checked that during assembly?

[Zekarus]

yeah seems you are right. machine shop just got the block and head separately to machine both and bore the block. he just recommended to use a thicker gasket if possible. is it enough to check the clearance with kneat and a correct timed motor? waiting four weeks is right now not an option or i'm going to use the athena gasket. first complete motor overhaul for me. 😅

[SteelGreyM]

I used a cosmetic gasket in my recent rebuild. As far as thickness your machine shop should easily be able to figure this one out.

[Slideways]

yeah seems you are right. machine shop just got the block and head separately to machine both and bore the block. he just recommended to use a thicker gasket if possible. is it enough to check the clearance with kneat and a correct timed motor? waiting four weeks is right now not an option or i'm going to use the athena gasket. first complete motor overhaul for me. 😅

Can you not get the stock Elring gasket from an OEM supplier sooner than 4 weeks?

[Zekarus]

Can you not get the stock Elring gasket from an OEM supplier sooner than 4 weeks?

Got one in hand. These four weeks are for a cometic gasket

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[stash1]

yeah seems you are right. machine shop just got the block and head separately to machine both and bore the block. he just recommended to use a thicker gasket if possible. is it enough to check the clearance with kneat and a correct timed motor? waiting four weeks is right now not an option or i'm going to use the athena gasket. first complete motor overhaul for me. 😅

Not sure I follow what “kneat” means? Either you or the machine shop needs to check the motor for PTV clearance...just saying to run a thicker head gasket because you’re not sure is lazy and a cop out. Why would you/anyone want to run a thicker HG (and lower comp.) if you don’t need to!?

[Randall921]

Anyone know the OEM thickness? Is it .030”? I’ve heard conflicting answers.


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[stash1]

Anyone know the OEM thickness? Is it .030”? I’ve heard conflicting answers.


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Yerp

[Zekarus]

no it's 0.64mm and thats around .025" it's part number four

http://de.bmwfans.info/parts-catalog/E46-Coupe/USA/M3-S54/L-N/dec2003/browse/engine/cylinder_head_attached_parts/

[Randall921]

Can you not get the stock Elring gasket from an OEM supplier sooner than 4 weeks?

Can you use a stock head gasket with 87.5mm pistons?

[Slideways]

Can you use a stock head gasket with 87.5mm pistons?

I missed the bit about increasing bore size. Probably have to go with aftermarket then.

[Randall921]

I missed the bit about increasing bore size. Probably have to go with aftermarket then.

Got it. In the same boat as OP and trying to figure out what's best. I haven't found a viable alternative to Cometic and their backorder.