I just fired up my TD tonight for the first time in several years. Fresh bottom end, reman head, ARP, and a 2 notch metal headgasket. I cut up a washer to seal the water jacket with some RTV. Everything torqued down to 100 ft/lbs. When running I have a small leak just to the passenger side of the oil drain near the extra water jacket that needs to be sealed up. The headgasket spec is 0.059". Tonight I found another washer which I believe is the same as the one I cut up for the seal, and it is exactly 0.059" thick. So do I torque higher to seal it up, or could I damage my head?
I would not. 120 is about tops on the torque and you are short of that, but to compress the gasket to get the rubber to seal I think you are flirting with disaster. I would think it has probably shrank over the last few years of not running/oxidizing.
I used some teflon joint sealant to plug the hole I have. Holding great after 12,000.
headgaskets are meant to "squish." Washers are not. Make it smaller and try again.
headgaskets are meant to "squish." Washers are not. Make it smaller and try again.
This is why I stopped, but the MLS headgasket is much thicker then 0.059" before installation.