How flat should my head be?

Because it's not even close. It has a pronounced curve, top to bottom, that
can be seen with a straightedge placed over the sealing surfaces. I'd say
the thing curves about 3mm from true.

If it's supposed to be like that, please forgive my ignorance, but man it
doesn't look right!

Mark
getting fast at pulling these heads off

----- Original Message -----
From: "Robert Donalds" <bostneng@FCL-US.NET>
To: <vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM>
Sent: Tuesday, March 18, 2003 10:24 AM
Subject: Re: repeatedly blowing head gasket

Fellow vanagon types
I assemble on average 2 WBX engines a week and I don't have problems with
ripping water jacket seals. I will explain my method.
1 ) I wire brush and debur the block then I grind out any pitting with my
drummer tool and fill it with epoxy and file it flat. Masking tape is useful
to hold the epoxy in place until it cures. This job is not so easy to do in
the van but I still think its needs to be done to create a surface that is
not sharp and flat
2 ) I lay in a small bead of black silicone in the channel of the water
jacket gasket. The reason for this is not so much for sealing as it is for
lubrication of the gasket. I also lay in a small bead on top of the gasket
to help lube seal.
3 ) With one nut I bring the head down against the gaskets and I repeatedly
wiggle the head as I do this to unload any preloading on the water jacket
gasket. Keep in mind the push rod tubes twist the head in a way that can rip
the gasket as the head is tightened down

Bob Donalds
http://www.bostonengine.com
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