engine and drivetrain Which head gasket?

[mikekoch]

My block and head are going out to the machinist this week, so I am making sure that everything is ready for when they come back. Already have upper and lower gasket sets and all of the moving parts, but I am still not sure which head gasket I want to go with.

Engine (2l) has a stock stroke, Mahle 2nd over 9.5:1 pistons, E12 head, 292 Schrick cam, etc. According to my measurements the head has not previously been planed.

I am curious which headgasket those of you with similar setups are currently using. As much as I like turning wrenches, this is not an engine I want to open up again any time soon (baby on the way) and I want to make sure whatever I use is up to the increased compression.

Thanks

Mike

'71 riviera

[Guest Anonymous]

didn't know there was more than one choice. What are the two you are choosing from? I'd use the standard BMW part unless you're doing something that requires a custom application. Is there a head gasket that is thicker for planed head/block applications?

[mikekoch]

There are a number of gasket makers that make head gaskets for our engines, and a few choices of gaskets designed for competition and/or higher compression applications. For heads that have been planed true, there is a thicker (by .3mm) gasket available.

What I am interested in is what people are running and know to be good for this setup or, more specifically, manufacturers to avoid. If there is a "best choice" here, that's what I want to buy.

Mike

[Guest Anonymous]

i've never run anything but what I've gotten over the counter at the dealership. the higher compression one seems like a no-brainer especially if you've upped your compression. As for the thicker kind, I'd only run it if you have shaved quite a bit off your head/block and are worried about valve interferance. then again, what's .3mm going to do? Unless you've got some crazy motor I'd stick to the tried & true parts from the dealer.

[mikekoch]

Have you run 9.5:1 pistons and an E12 head?

[Guest Anonymous]

that sounds like a similar setup to a tii. unless you're doing anything crazy or have milled down the block a bunch to boost compression I would run stock. i'm a bit shocked that others havent chimed in.

[mikekoch]

I think you might be missing part of my question here. With other cars/bikes I have owned, some gasket manufacturers were to be avoided. "Stock" is kind of a loaded word because a "stock" gasket can be made by one of several gasket makers, one or more of which might make crap gaskets. That assertion is not directed at aftermarket BMW gaskets specifically, but rather from not-so-fun experiences with air, water and oil leaks in a few of the other engines I've build. I am relatively new to BMW engines and I would very much like to avoid major problems.

I've seen a lot of posts here about blown headgaskets, some on new engines, some that have been running fine for many years, so I thought it would be worthwhile to ask for input.

This was also a request for anecdotal data on what others are/were running. Your preference is abundantly clear and I appreciate your input, but I was hoping to get a response from others as well.

[rho]

I've used Elring Cutting ring gaskets on my rebuilds.

Part number 11 12 1 265 420... usually about $45, twice as expensive as stock. They have 91mm bores so they will work with most every rebuild.

Good Luck,

Robert

[skipsfcr]

dealer supplied gaskets in the past. With clean & true mating surfaces and proper torque values applied in the correct sequence we've had virtually no problems with premature gasket failure. New head bolts are a good investment too as they're inexpensive.