Gasket talk

[biddie_gibbs]

i have been hearing that EVERY time you remove the cylinder head from a gokart engine you SHOULD replace the gasket. Is that 4 real? because one day i had this smart idea of taking the head off my gokart engine and now it does not run. All prior to that it ran perfectly.please any help or advice would be preciated.:confused:

[kibble]

You'd want to replace the gasket because it will not seat exactly the same way that it was before removing it. As to it not working, I don't know why that would be. It should still do something, I have taken engines apart and put them back together with the same gasket and they still run. Maybe something else got affected.

[robertdjung]

I don't think i've ever replaced a head gasket on a L-head (older style) Briggs. For whatever that's worth.

[Jblankster]

its good practice to replace all gaskets every time you tear a engine down.

[dirtrider69]

this is kinda random but i herd that if you dont put a head gasket on it will actually help your motor.....any ideas on that???

[kibble]

It would just have a little more compression.

[2or3wheels]

it may have more due to sealing better, but getting a thiner gasket will aso increace compression, reduces the area of compression making it higher.

[Russ2251]

Eliminating gasket can (but not always) make a difference in output. Depends on how thick original gasket is/was. Surfaces must be lapped/mated to each other (head and block) to eliminate gaps that gasket makes up for.
I do this by by using valve grinding compound. Engine has to be completely gutted to prevent compound from getting into guts of engine and then must be completely flushed out once lapping is completed. If any compound is left behind engine will grind itself into a pile of aluminum.
Once lapping is satisfactory, apply a paper thin coat to one surface Loctite #510 then torque to spec. Allow at least 1 hour to cure at room temperature.
This stuff is rated for max temperature of close to 400 degrees F and should hold. If it doesn't hold, gasket can always be replaced with no harm done. Nothing ventured...Nothing gained.
Higher octane fuel may have to be used. Higher compression can cause regular gas to autoignite and you will hear an ignition "knock".
This is for "L" head. "I" head is different.
PS Check for plug and valve clearances before dong this mod. No point in doing this if valves hit cylinder head or plug punches hole in piston crown.

[dirtrider69]

ok thanks