280zx2by2

So I blew the head gasket about 3 months ago and now that its warming up outside Im getting a chance to do some work on it.

Id just like to see if there are any tips or suggestions before I throw the thing back together.

Mainly what brand gasket should I get? ( but not some crazy expensive race proven gasket) so far Im looking at felpro's for everything and I have used them for most other things on the engine and never had a problem.

And is ok to use the copper-spray-a-gasket stuff on a headgasket?

And is it ok to reuse the headbolts? (I have heard of some that are one time use but couldn't remember if L-series used those)

(edit) oh and anyone know the thread pitch/size of the head bolts/holes?

Oh and is this much gunk in the coolant passages normal? haha




God I hope that steak stays in place.


And btw so far this has been 10X easier than I thought it would be... I just wish I had a shop to work in haha

260zturbo

everyone has mix feelings on used head bolts. Its really up to. If you think your head bolts are good then use them. Inspect them and make sure. If you gotta a little extra cash go ahead and find some arp head bolts. Yea they are over kill but make sure hella nice. felpro is fine for stock. All that gunk in your coolant...gotta do flushes not just keep adding coolant. make sure you head is not warped. i sure hope you plan to do a oil change soon...nothing like letting water sit in your oilpan

NismoPick

^^^ What he said.

I use a light coating of copper spray on head gaskets (personal preference... and I learned it from a Nissan mechanic).
You can re-use the head bolts as long as they aren't bent, burnt, or otherwise damaged (including threads). Clean the block bolt holes & use either motor oil or head bolt lube on install. I suggest not re-using them more than 2-3 times though.
Clean the crap outta the block top w/ a pneumatic surfacing kit, but keep it flat & don't dig in.
Before installing, lay the head gasket on the block surface & head surface to make sure all holes line up correctly.
And freaking use the proper torque specs & sequence.

BlueKitsune

$130 for ARP headbolts that you never have to change again on JEGs. Worth it IMO sense the stock is like what $100? and I use felpro w/o any form of sealant. but thats just me.

PurePontiacKid

I'm running junkyard headbolts on my motor with a FelPro head gasket with no problems (unless 145whp seems low for an internally stock L28 on stock EFI?).

Yes, I actually went to the junkyard to get headbolts for my Z... I was hella noob and didn't want to spring for new ones on a motor like this lol

280zx2by2

Well thanks guys, and nismo I got the copper spray-a-gasket tip from you a while back haha, I love that stuff, even if it doesn't work it still makes you feel better.

And I should probably go ahead and get one of the pneumatic resurface tools... instead of using a block of wood and sand paper like I did on the intake/exhaust ports haha.

280zx2by2

Ok I have looked in most of all the files in the xenon FSM and I can not find where it says what the three sensors on the thermostat housing are...

I broke the top one that's closest to the head and I figured I might need to replace it haha

(edit) never mind I found it in the fuel section, water temp sending unit, $11 at MSA... awesome.

260zturbo

you tried ur local store for a temp sending unit? might be cheaper and you will get it a hella faster then msa....nothin wrong with msa just shipping is pretty slow

skib

head bolts are usually ok to re use on a stock motor, just give it a little extra tq.

and dont use that copper gasket crap on your hg, ever.

J-cubZ

Not trying to be a ***** but are you gonna explain why?

NismoPick

^^^ x2 on that...

I've done probably 15 head jobs & used that copper spray on most of them. I haven't had any bad results from any of them (minus blowing my L28ET head gasket because I cranked the boost on a freaking Felpro).

280zx2by2

Yeah speak up Skib!

and 260zturbo, that's what im gonna check, and if they don't have it there are 3 280zx's in my local J-yard ill just pick one up from there if they don't have it...

280zx2by2

And Skib remains quiet on the subject lol


Got all the gaskets I needed and a waterpump for $75... awesome.

Just have to drop by the J-yard for that sensor. Headgasket comes in sometime this week and I might have the pos 2+2 running again by the end of next weekend.