Thread: Stock Headgaskets

Can't see how MLS would fair any worse than stock or fel-pro's... User error? Were the MLS gaskets new or used when failed? Very interested... My understanding is if used (MLS), a good coat of copper spray takes care of any issues.

Still using GM head gaskets myself with ARP studs. So far, so good. Only ran it to 21/22 psi.

Worse case, down the road, will o ring the block

Originally Posted by coolone

Can't see how MLS would fair any worse than stock or fel-pro's... User error? Were the MLS gaskets new or used when failed? Very interested... My understanding is if used (MLS), a good coat of copper spray takes care of any issues.

my only experience with them is a guy in nebraska who used a set. had the head planed .005' and checked the deck of the block with a machinist straight edge to make sure it was flat. copper spray and they still leaked right from the get go. mind you this kid also has a 67 pontiac wagon that runs 10's on a 462 meth motor that he built so i wouldnt think it was user error.

Originally Posted by NebTurboST5

my only experience with them is a guy in nebraska who used a set. had the head planed .005' and checked the deck of the block with a machinist straight edge to make sure it was flat. copper spray and they still leaked right from the get go. mind you this kid also has a 67 pontiac wagon that runs 10's on a 462 meth motor that he built so i wouldnt think it was user error.

So you called MLS a POS based on ONE experience? You also said they were "so popular for awhile" while they are still very popular.

Just saying my good friend ran a 8.93 in the 1/4 with MLS gaskets. MLS are factory gaskets on DSM's and 3000GT and Stealths and head gasket failure is almost non existent with those platforms.

I mean, c'mon, calling MLS sh!t based on one experience is like someone saying Hondas are unreliable based on one friend who owned a ragged out POS.

EDIT: And just saying, just because he has another fast car doesn't mean he can't make a mistake. My other buddy, also running 8's, also on MLS gaskets, has made his share of mistakes.

Originally Posted by stealthee

So you called MLS a POS based on ONE experience? You also said they were "so popular for awhile" while they are still very popular.

Just saying my good friend ran a 8.93 in the 1/4 with MLS gaskets. MLS are factory gaskets on DSM's and 3000GT and Stealths and head gasket failure is almost non existent with those platforms.

I mean, c'mon, calling MLS sh!t based on one experience is like someone saying Hondas are unreliable based on one friend who owned a ragged out POS.

EDIT: And just saying, just because he has another fast car doesn't mean he can't make a mistake. My other buddy, also running 8's, also on MLS gaskets, has made his share of mistakes.

easy buddy...i am well aware of the success of the MLS gasket on other platforms. personally for a grand prix it wouldnt be my choice. too many setups on stock gaskets making plenty of power to warrant the switch. I would hope that you would agree that MLS gaskets at least require more precision than the stock GM gaskets. what motor is in your stealth?

There is no precision required with a MLS gasket. Its install and go.

My Stealth is non turbo. It was all I could afford back when I bought it. (Bought it in 02 and turbos were still going for $15k to even $30k) It's still a fun car, not fast but a blast to push on curvy roads. All I got to do now is get motivated to get it back on the road.

Originally Posted by stealthee

There is no precision required with a MLS gasket. Its install and go.

My Stealth is non turbo. It was all I could afford back when I bought it. (Bought it in 02 and turbos were still going for $15k to even $30k) It's still a fun car, not fast but a blast to push on curvy roads. All I got to do now is get motivated to get it back on the road.

i guess by that bench mark there is no precision required with any gaskets...i did a b17 headgasket one time (which is MLS) and it was a complete **** show. i went and had the head planed bought studs for the motor and i dont know what happened. honestly i think the block was warped when i got it . cause it always had **** compression on the #4 cylinder. so i probably shouldnt be blaming the MLS gaskets. i just dont see the benefit if i can run 25psi on stock gaskets. if you want to go over that might as well o ring the block and drill it for larger studs and do internals...

i just asked about the stealth becuase one of my childhood friends dads had an r/t turbo and it was a lot of fun...of course i was like 10-11 at the time.

My point of "install and go" was more along the lines of it doesn't take any additional steps that a normal head gasket install takes.

the TR has used MLS gaskets and its done years of lean as **** 16+psi torture as we ficsed the ignitions system issues and the damn fuel system.
we made 608fwhp before the fuel system fix, the fat part of the curve was dropping like a rock at 4500 and by 5500 we were at 13.2 afr to make that 600 at just 18 psi
it also did 3, 1/2mile passes at 22psi 19*

Originally Posted by stealthee

There is no precision required with a MLS gasket. Its install and go.

.....

Originally Posted by stealthee

My point of "install and go" was more along the lines of it doesn't take any additional steps that a normal head gasket install takes.

main issues are contaminates, people dont grind the rivets and clean between the layers. also seems that way too many peope dont waste 10$ on 100 razor blades as they should and they take 3m rolocs to em and destroy the surface RA

ive found high spots around the oem head bolt holes too, make no mistake, its far better to check everything before you ASSume that the guy that assembled yo **** wasnt hungover on a monday.

also some heads have massive core shift in certain parts of reworked molds, easy to be lacking stiffness in one head over another (a mold 7 from 98 is nice, a mold 7 from 01+ looks like ****....someone dun ****ed up the tooling on that bugger.

start with good heads, separate and clean the layers, check and double check, clean the decks properly, no finger oils/contaminates, use blue tape to remove lint.

we did copper spray between layers and i have my own tq.

we did used mls's on the local nitrous riv (turtleman) and it lasted a while but did blow out the gasket on the spray. to be honest they werent in as great of a used shape as the TR's. it now has felpro's at high tq while we put a new motor together and go back to low compression after loosing a ring land on the l26. i woud hesitate to use new MLS's but perhaps its a bit smarter to have the HG as the fusible link.

the 442's rear nitrous/blower setup is using felpro's with high temp construction adhesive since we dont give a ****.

i havent once touched the TR's motor aside from yanking it to get the broke'd trans out like some demented groundhog day bull****.

if the TR pops a gasket ill be far more likely to try the MLS/construction adhesive over Oringing the block or heads and finding the next weak link.

for now we're content to leave it as it is while we put more money than the cars worth into the trans...again...

it pisses me off to no end that the cometics aren't plastic wrapped THEN put inside the cardboard& bag packaging.

oem suppliers tend to be smart enough to do so...why the **** cant cometic

Have a set of MLS (for my build) but now having second thoughts...
What to do, what to do... Fuac'd...

So many people have problems with mls gaskets leaking. Stock gaskets are easy to install, and seem to hold all the power you want, as long as you keep it from detonating.

To much work for MLS.

If stock head gaskets get me down to the 9s, ill be happy