Metal HD 1.6 sealing issue. Advice needed.

[somepunk22]

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?

[theman53]

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.

[nathan_b]

headgaskets are meant to "squish." Washers are not. Make it smaller and try again.

[somepunk22]

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.