Head Gaskets Options

[brandomc]

I bought a engine last week that was supposedly a 1.7, but the guy didnt really know for sure. After looking at the case numbers, I think it might be a 1.8?? It starts with EB. I took all of the sheetmetal off to repaint it, and everything is really clean accept for around 1 of the cylinders between the head and the cylinder, it is black and kindof oily. I figure this is a leaky cylinder. Do i need new head gaskets? Or just retorque the head? Where do i get head gaskets? Pelican parts doesnt sell them. What should i do with this? It is supposed to be a fairly low mileage engine. Thanks

[ME733]

(IMG:style_emoticons/default/popcorn[1].gif) .....Well an 80..percent leakdown...sounds really bad.really bad., the very first thing to do is ...MAKE SURE THE VALVES ARE ADJUSTED. and the T.D.C. top dead center mark on the pully or flyweel is in FACT actually T.D.C., if you run the engine with valves partially open, not adjusted .YOU WILL BURN THE VALVEs OR SEATS with improper valve lash. (006 ths is what you want )...or more..explained, if you use .008ths ,this will allow a little, seating time,..time to blow off or clean off carbon or rust that may have accumulated while the engine sat up. to allow the valves to have a better chance of seating..(reseating)... to accomodate for a lot of other variables, if the engine is newly rebuilt. or worn out. The good news is that MAYBE , with the valves "hissing"...there may not be a burned valve or a dropped seat...sounds like the valves are TRYING TO CLOSE, tight but can not quite do it completely. You can, and should, reset the valve lash back to >006 ths . after ..gently driving a few hundred miles.(you can live with just a little extra valve lash noise for a short period of time). keep the R.P.Ms low to moderate. you will have lots of other things to check including OIL pressure and oil leaks.and the rings need time to reseat and seal . DO NOT USE SYNTHETIC OIL (of any kind ) for at lest 1000 miles, or until you are sure the rings are seated. OTHERWISE they may never seat. (or reseat)......37 years of building porsche engines.( primarily racing) (I blue print mine, and never rely on a machine shop to furnish me with perfection.) hope you pay attention. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/popcorn[1].gif)