Liquifire Head Gaskets

yzboy99 · Post by **yzboy99** » Mon Jan 02, 2006 1:36 pm

Can anyone give me some helpful tips for sealing my LF heads? I have 2 new SPI pistons and a new set of gaskets. It pressure tested Ok before start-up, but 5 mins later, once the sled was warm, the heads started seeping. Anyone got some suggestions? Head bolts were torqued, some silicone added to second set of gaskets(second attempt), but still no luck. Common problem or not for '81's??

400Chris · Post by **400Chris** » Mon Jan 02, 2006 3:16 pm

In addition to what was stated above, make sure the deck of the jug is true. High spots around the edges of the studs are a sign of prior overtorquing.

I have a set of jugs that this is an issue with. I don't know if this image adequately demonstrates that, but the heads are true, and can be slightly rocked on the jugs due to high spots around the studs.

Chris

yzboy99 · Post by **yzboy99** » Mon Jan 02, 2006 3:55 pm

Which brand of gaskets are recommended? The ones i used are Winderosa. Is the brand of piston critical? I guess my next logical step is to turn the cyl head studs out and plane the top of the cylinder, no?

That Girl Racing · Post by **That Girl Racing** » Mon Jan 02, 2006 4:25 pm

There was a run of Winderosa gaskets for the Liquids that leaked. This was last winter and they were supposed to be pulled from the retail world. They have a different # for the Invader ones. They supposedly worked. Peter

yzboy99 · Post by **yzboy99** » Mon Jan 02, 2006 4:33 pm

The ones i picked up were in early spring, so they could be duds. My cylinders looked perfectly clean, but that doesn't always mean flat or true, so i guess i will pull it apart again and see if i can make out where it is leaking. Has anyone out there used the SPI's in Liq's lately?

Post by **guitardude081** » Mon Jan 02, 2006 6:07 pm

You probably shouldn't have used silicone. Try using Cometic gaskets. You need to scuff them up first because manufacturing of head gaskets leaves a film on them. Once they're scuffed use copper spray-a-gasket to seal the head gasket.
~Jack

400Chris · Post by **400Chris** » Mon Jan 02, 2006 6:12 pm

The gasket on the right is what the "good" Winderosa is supposed to look like. Rodimus Prime verified this for me last season as that gasket was purchased during the period of question.

Chris

yzboy99 · Post by **yzboy99** » Mon Jan 02, 2006 6:37 pm

That is exactly what mine looked like, so that can't be the problem. But what was "takeittothelimit" talking about silicone gaskets? Is there a better brand out there that is top notch? Let's face it, December came and went, and the LF still sits!

yzboy99 · Post by **yzboy99** » Tue Jan 03, 2006 1:34 pm

Well, i have talked to my local machine/sled shop and he measured the cylinders and heads and they are all straight. So he mentioned using the Cometic gaskets from Wiseco, because they are a better sealing gasket. He has had trouble with Winderosa in the last couple of years on particular sleds, and so i will try the Wiseco ones. Will keep you posted. Thanks for all your help guys.....keep ridin'