Doing head gasket an hour a day. Got heads back on after shop work. Valley pan did not line up. Some said it would when more weight put on. Installed it, torqued to 51 nm, one bolt striped out. Removed intake today. Have generic helicoil to install.

It still doesn't line up. I can't see how this thing would hold water, etc., as the embossed area of the gasket is stretched across the opening in the engine head in some cases. Seems like this would flood coolant into the valley and oil, plus how can intake ports be sealed properly?

Notice how bolt holes are puckered up from being out of register.

What path is suggested next to finish this and have reasonable expectation of a working gasket? Reverse gasket? Fold in center line? Enlarge bolt holes in gasket? Sealant?

And, do the puckered gasket edges impact the torque readings, as you would also be trying to crush the gasket back flat....

On a positive note, only one bolt hole is stripped.

I have been away from the project for about a week, but still can't see why this is so out of register. Heads have alignment dowels, went back on just fine. Not wanting to buy another set of head bolts and R/R those.

 

Perhaps it's a bad gasket? Or perhaps the heads have been machined too much over the years? Is that something the machine shop measured for?

 

Heads were oem when they went to the shop (still had Rover etchings in them), he would have had to take out like 1/4 inch, most machines are going to take out like just .001 - .005, .250 would be a huge slice. Guess I can measure on the edge and see.....

Maybe I better spin the engine and see if something is hitting.....

 

I remember seeing the land rover in the photos you posted. I assumed it was embossed from OEM gaskets. Someone posted photos of oe gaskets recently, they said elring on one side and land rover on the other.

And you're right of course that would be quite a bit to machine off. I'll go back to my previous idea.... Defective gasket.

 

I'm confused, and that does not take much. The block surface is oem, as the serial number and 9.35 compression ratio mark is there. AutohausAZ has already replaced two head gaskets on their nickle, but I'll be returning them, I went ahead because I needed to be finished. But a valley pan stamped wrong, that's something else. It is almost like the valley pan gasket fits better without the lip seals present.

 

I've done a couple of these now. Every time it seems like the gasket just isn't right until all of a sudden...it is. Make sure the lip seals are on first, as I'm sure you know. Even though its not supposed to be required you're definitely going to need to use RTV on the lips. It will surely leak oil if you don't. As for the gasket lining up, try another one. Go slow and turn the bolts by hand. It may take some wiggling of the manifold to get everything properly seated. And make several passes with your torque wrench.

 

Lol...... I have to laugh. You never gave us much time to post which parts work and which ones don't before you zipped off your parts orders. You skipped that step. Elring head gaskets and Unipart valley pan. Next time you do this lay your heads on the block while lining up the valley pan then torque them down. You get plenty of wiggle room with the dowels. Works like a charm but you have to have a good templet to start with.

Again, not a fan of RTV on anything, it sucks as a sealant.

 

I'm glad I got mine at atlantic.

 

Gee, it has been a month since we started this, plus a few days for ihscouts to motivate me. First anyone has mentioned using another brand of valley pan gasket separate from the "all parts " kits. So the suggestion now is new head bolts and a new valley pan gasket from unipart in the UK, this is gonna take a lot more time.

Guess everyone can have a good laugh since I won't be getting the Disco running anytime soon.

 

Savannah all you need to do is go to Rovahfarm. Elring and Unipart. I got ur back man, no worries...... If you have any concerns PM me anytime you need. That way I'll get back on here and walk you through.

What's the new head bolts for? You taken the heads off again? What's the deal with the head gaskets? I haven't been following along, been zombie busy.

As far as the valley pan lining up perfectly it's not that important with the runners but it is for the coolant passages. You can always trim with a razor knife.....obvious warnings apply.