damn rivets

[MKTURBO3]

so when i did my motor i didnt know that the rivets needed to be taking out. what do you know... im getting lots of white smoke at first start up and i smell coolant while driving. i have no signs of bhg expect for the white smoke and smell. i have about 10k on the rebuild im sure the hg didnt seal properly would retorqueing help me here.? what would be the best choice for me. any help will be great!

[DegreE]

What rivets?

[IJ.]

There is a rivet in the MHG which when installed holds the head off the gasket slightly, it needs to be removed.

[SLO-MK3]

There is a rivet in the MHG which when installed holds the head off the gasket slightly, it needs to be removed.

I thought that was an old thing, and new MHGs didn't have that problem.

[jdub]

There is a rivet in the MHG which when installed holds the head off the gasket slightly, it needs to be removed.

And if it's doing this ^^^
A re-torque is not going to fix it...the head has to be removed.

[IJ.]

Last HKS Stopper I bought still had it.....

Ditto on a retorque WON'T seal it up once the coolant has got onto the Viton.

[jdub]

And a Titan (Cometic) I recently saw had it too...

[SLO-MK3]

I know the TMS has the rivets, but mine all cleared the deck just fine.

[IJ.]

If the Deck hasn't been cut it only just clears.

It's only 1 rivet at the front side that's a problem.

I use a small pair of sidecutters to squash then pull the rivet out so there's no risk of damaging the gasket or the viton coating.

[MKTURBO3]

so if i take the head and block apart and see that they are all good and in spec would the cometic hg be fine to reuse

[jdub]

You will likely have to strip the Viton coating off (Acetone or paint thinner & a scrub pad). When clean, apply a good coat of copper spray to replace the Viton and it should be good to go.

[MKTURBO3]

thanks for all the info guys!!

[selfinfliction]

Last HKS Stopper I bought still had it.....

Ditto on a retorque WON'T seal it up once the coolant has got onto the Viton.

so your $300+ gasket had the same rivet issue that cometics have?

[IJ.]

SI: Yep all come from the same design!

[selfinfliction]

SI: Yep all come from the same design!

bet it was designed on friday afternoon, of payweek... dude was in a hurry to get home

[MDCmotorsports]

All the cometics have it. Even my new one sitting here....

[arz]

I have installed 3 different Cometic mhg's they all had the rivet. I know you guys will all poo poo me but I have reused MHG's more than once and know a couple of others that have also, and always had good results. If you are the one to do the R&R on the head, I would re-use the used MHG and clean the dirt and extra stuff but I have never removed the viton from the gasket except to make sure that the only piece that wasnt missing was between the cylinders. If you are going to pay someone I would probably use a new one, as they probably wont be as clean and careful as you.

[89whitepkg]

If the Deck hasn't been cut it only just clears.

It's only 1 rivet at the front side that's a problem.

I use a small pair of sidecutters to squash then pull the rivet out so there's no risk of damaging the gasket or the viton coating.

I'm about to put in my Cometic and I'm not really clear on how to get this rivet out without messing anything up. Can someone elaborate on this? Also, the viton coating, is this already on the gasket or is this something that need to be applied before installing?

[jdub]

Drill it out.

A new MHG has the coating from the factory.

[MRSUPRA]

The TMS (Cometic) 1.4mm gasket that I recently installed had no "rivit interference".

[89whitepkg]

The TMS (Cometic) 1.4mm gasket that I recently installed had no "rivit interference".

what is the best way to tell if it's going to be an issue...(what to look for, I've never done one before.) Or should I just drill it out regardless just to be safe?

[jdub]

Re-read post #9 ;)
If ANY rivet touches the block deck surface, it needs to be removed. Just lay the MHG on with the index pins in place.

[MassSupra89]

My recently bought HKS stopper rivets all cleared the deck fine.

[jdub]

Doesn't surprise me...seems to be a hit-n-miss on MHG's.

:dunno:

[Poodles]

mine cleared fine, but I can see how it would be an issue if the block is decked, like IJ mentioned...

[isnms]

courtesy of Justin727
http://www.supramania.com/forums/showthread.php?p=75122&post75122
http://www.supramania.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=2428