Head/Block Pitting

[jbenford]

Hi, i have a quick and maybe dumb question. I am doing a head gasket job and have noticed some pitting on the block side and on the head. It is between the cylinder circles on the head side the worst. Wondering if my new black onyx head gasket will cure the problem on the block side. I am thinking i should have the head shaved too but if the gasket will seal it then maybe not. thanks for the help

[Lilpooh]

Not sure about your pitting between the cyl. Pics would help. But I would definatly have the heads check for flatness, magnafluxed for cracks, and pressure tested.

[jbenford]

I will post some pics in the morning. I am brining them to a shop tomorrow. I am more worried about the block side. I am sure they can shave the heads and make them good. I have read in a few post that the black onyx head gaskets have lots of sealent on them and it will solve this problem. Just wanted to be sure. I am recieving all my parts tomorrow.

[Rmorgan711]

I'm curious also as local shop has my truck for studs & gaskets and mentioned if pitting is bad on block it has to be surfaced also to the tune of another 4k !! I will probably go to thier shop and inspect block myself if they say it needs to be done ...they will not have it torn down untill tommorrow around noon

[Lbs]

My block was fine, but I had to buy new heads when I got my studs done because of pitting. If the pitting is no deeper than .005" then you should be fine, as long as it doesnt seem to present a future issue if it continues to pit.

[Rmorgan711]

.005 aint much ! why can't you use a copper head gasket or MLS like a Cometic ?? I've been around ALOT of racing engines and they make a tool that can o-ring the block on BBC's & Donovans,hemi's eyc.. where you don't have to pull down the block to do it ?? why can't this be done on these blocks if pitting is bad ?

[PGreenSVT]

O-ringed heads are ok on a race application where it is frequently torn down but are not a good idea for a DD. As long as the pitting doesn't compromise a sealing area there is a lot of space on the heads and deck where it won't really matter much. It is impossible to tell without seeing though.