Fall semester is over & I now have about 3 weeks till school starts again. I want to fix the head probs on my Z that occured on the trip to MSA 07. I need to pull the head & get it to a machine shop.

Now... I have an HKS MLS head gasket currently installed. Can it be reused? I remember it has crush bumps that would seem to me, to allow ONE install. But I remember Veyenyl saying they can be reused. I've searched through several Z and non-Z related forums and "opinions" vary. Can MLS headgaskets be reused?

I am also thinking about getting a set of ARP studs. Cheapest I can find is $129 + $9 shipping. Can ARP head studs be reused?

 

Well I'm not an expert, but since the ARP studs are touted as being so much stronger and better than stock, I'd assume they should be reuseable. I don't know why you couldn't reuse those.

How much does the HKS head gasket normally run?

 

Mine is the 2.0mm. I think I got it for $99 from MSA.

 

yes, you can re-use ARP head studs, also it might be easier to use studs with the intake and exhaust manifold while everything it apart.

also for cheap insurance just replace it, better to do it now then replace in the parking lot at MSA 08

 

Intake & exhaust are already studded. And the next MSA show I attend, I will spend about a month on my car making sure it will make it. Barstow tow truckers aren't that forgiving at 2AM.

 

that car had better live at MSA 08 im not getting a call at 3am to hear that you broke down and need help...

 

The HKS head gaskets can be reused. A few of the guys on Hybrid have used them at least 3 times from what I can remember.

 

ive used my 2mm and 1mm multiple times, so many i cant count, they are totally re-useable. thats why they are so good. the neoprene and stamped outter layer of spring steel is what allows this. ps, you can use them more than 3 times. arp studs should be re-useable, they are not torque to yeild, so prolly could get many many times outta them.

 

Me likey these answers.

 

They have arrived...

 

sweet!!! a sticker!!!! +10 HP!!!

 

they have arrived?? i thought you where already using head studs?

 

See first post of this thread. Maybe I wasn't too clear. I do have an MLS head gasket, but I've been using the stock head bolts.

 

man why the heck are they so expencive?

 

Cuz they're worth it. In the words of Corky Bell:

A head BOLT is an accountant's decision. A head STUD is an engineer's decision.

 

Bump for updates...

Thanks to Mhinrichs for the turbo head. It's at the machine shop right now. I hope to have it back by the end of this next week. I also just bought a set of 300cc injectors on ebay. The last item I'm debating is a larger aluminum radiator. For some reason my motor always runs hot no matter what thermostat I have in it. Maybe some larger upper & lower hoses too.

 

thats because the thermostat controls oil temp !!1!1

 

for reals or just playing?

 

LOLS!!!!!! yeah go for it, if you plan on doing some abuse drop the money. if t-stats aren't doing the trick only one thing left to do right? such a n00b question and you call yourself a mod

 

I don't call myself a mod.... though I do remember just reading one of your posts saying :

 

shady you recommend the 1mm head gasket? was looking at them on msa for $250 but wondering if the cost was justified

 

The thickness depends on what compression ratio you want. A 1MM gasket will raise the CR... a 2MM will lower it (stock is 1.35MM I think).

I really don't get why the 1MM head gasket is $100 more than the 2MM. I remember someone saying "Why not pull out one or two metal sheets from the 2MM and now you have two 1MM head gaskets."

 

yeah well thats what i was looking at to up the compression ratio and a lil bit of power but not going to justify 2hp for $250

 

Right on NismoPick...sounds like you are on your way. Good luck with your rebuild. And keep us updated.

 

the 1mm is approx of what stock is. i purchased my mls gaskets from nissan. its actually cheaper than msa!! i put in the 2mm to bump my cr up because it was at 11.8:1!!!! and yeah, its worth it. for high cr's and boosted applications, or if you remove your head alot. but why would ya do that.