Originally posted by Darbshaw
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The DINAN cars ran about 400 hp with the stock headgasket. If you plan to DIY, you might need this - https://forums.m3cutters.co.uk/threa...e46-m3.205525/ -
Thanks for linking that! I found it myself a couple days ago and honestly sealed the deal on the diy for me. All in all I figure it’ll take a lot of cussing and headaches but mechanically isn’t all that badOriginally posted by Slideways View Post
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Not thicker really. But higher quality. Thicker would change compression.Comment
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I think my current mindset is going to be seeing how much is to be skimmed off the head. Theoretically if the head loses .010-.020” I can reduce that loss with a thicker head gasket to retain the stock compression ratio. Along with giving me a little bit bigger of a safety net for boostOriginally posted by SteelGreyM View Post
That previously shared head gasket diy guide stated something about being able to skim up to like .030” (haven’t double checked, rough recollection) without any issues. Although obviously this loss of depth would increase the compression ratio so it’s a balance of trying to retain
First time ever working into all of this so just kind of bouncing off ideas that just come through my noggin
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Does anyone know of good guides out there for cleaning and redoing valves and valve seals? Doesn’t have to be S54 specific. Just something to get an idea in my head.
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I guess I need to get on the 50’s kid more! I called what seems to be a reputable machine shop near my house and although very pricey it seems like they do thorough work.Originally posted by SteelGreyM View Post
Along with that they disassemble the valves and clean everything accordingly with ultrasonic and all the fun stuff and do the valve seals. Although I’d like to say I full diy the thing and push outside my comfort zone.
This would save me a chunk of change on the valve compression tool and I can just let them take car of it. So in the end the extra cost doesn’t seem too different since they have a pretty steep minimum cost. While getting a full pressure test and all may just be the best move.
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Also I was looking into the vac Motorsport gasket as they have plenty of size options and being mls.
Like I said previously I wouldn’t go stupid thick to lower my compression ratio. Probably just enough to maintain my stock one whatever that slight difference would be. With the intention of eventually going FI I think this would be the best move.
I’ve also been leaning against going with head studs this entire time since I figure they will be a major PITA with the engine in the car. Although is that really something worth looking into or just well down the road as a race engine alternative?
Sent from my iPhone using TapatalkLast edited by Darbshaw; 09-08-2020, 09:12 AM.Comment
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What’s their price?
I’m personally going with the cometic gasketComment
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169 for a .040” thick gasket. I’ll take a look into cometic as well!Originally posted by SteelGreyM View Post
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Well finally got around to pulling the head and the gasket was blown on all but one cylinder. Although that was still torn on the internal layer
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Now for the most disappointing news. I’m no expert by any means but it looks as if a couple of my pistons sustained some damage and cylinder 2 looks like it was eroding and there looks like a piece broken in it.
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Wow! Mine is EXACTLY like yours. Broken between every cyl except 5-6. My pistons look cooked exactly like yours. Mine was broken much worse though.
2 of my pistons had this burnt look to them. Piston #1 here broke some chunks off and mashed them into the cylinder head before shooting them out the exhaust. See to the right where there is a little dull spot between the cylinders? That’s a chunk of aluminum from the head melted onto the block. Yours appears to have the same thing going on. That will need to be resurfaced.
I’m not sure what you’re thinking right now so I’ll say this. Could you probably get away with a resurface and normal head gasket installation? Maybe. I wouldn’t count on your motor being healthy when it looks like that though. Don’t waste time and money on just changing the head gasket.
This is what my head looked like. I ended up buying a new head instead of repairing this one. This one could’ve been repaired but I got a really good deal on another head so I went for that one. This one is for sale if anyone wants itComment
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Damn steel, yours really took a beating. Thankfully mine is just a chipped off piece in 2 and it doesn't seem that it caused damage elsewhere. The underside of my head is actually exceptionally clean, maybe a testament to shell but mine look clean and proper. Maybe that extra heat or solevants in their gas is what put the piston over the edge. Who knows at this point.
Yea as of right now I'm not going to be just replacing the gasket. This is gonna turn into a rebuild or a whole engine swap. I have not really decided though since if I bought a loaner engine I would still go and do my rod bearings and head gasket in that just to ensure I'm not doing it again.
So I think its currently going to be leaning towards a rebuild and hopefully shes just down for the winter. My girl is not gonna like me when this thing keeps getting more and more expensive
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In the meantime, while I source a hoist and what not. Does anyone know of any good threads for engine building for our engines? IE piston sizing etc. This is going to be an ENTIRELY new realm for me so I'll be learning as I go.
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