Topic: engine gets stuck, thicker gasket?

[Elan]

750k, 836bore
straightened/ported head.

ok so  I'm reassembling my engine, pistons 2/3 were at TDC. I put the head on, torque it down. I go to rotate the engine and it doesn't move. I loosen the head nuts and engine turns freely. I move it to 1/4@TDC and torque, engine stuck.  Is my base gasket too thin?

[lucky]

Did the cam chain get bunched up down in the bottom of the case???

If not then you need a thicker head gasket.
A lot thicker. The pistons need at least .010 clearance when hot.
You may need a gasket that is .020 when crushed.
We need much more info.
Engine number.
Type or brand of pistons.
Rods etc.,.

[Elan]

cam chain is definitely not stuck. BUt i just compared my old head gasket to my new one.... New gasket is under old one in pics, look at how much smaller my new one is!


again, the top one is the old one.

and its not even round!



I think the piston was pushing the gasket against the head...

[Elan]

Did the cam chain get bunched up down in the bottom of the case???

If not then you need a thicker head gasket.
A lot thicker. The pistons need at least .010 clearance when hot.
You may need a gasket that is .020 when crushed.
We need much more info.


Engine number.
Type or brand of pistons.
Rods etc.,.

THey are the ebay pistons. Engine is a73', head is earlier.  cylinds could be a different year-unkown. Stock rods.  Engine worked with the 836 kit before, I got a new head, put in new base gasket/headgasket and now I have the problem

[LesterPiglet]

Try putting it together with the old gasket and see if it turns.

[Elan]

Try putting it together with the old gasket and see if it turns.

ok just tried it and yes, it turns freely. Would it be crazy to just use the old gasket? it went 200 miles and is clean and undamaged

[CycleRanger]

cam chain is definitely not stuck. BUt i just compared my old head gasket to my new one.... New gasket is under old one in pics, look at how much smaller my new one is!


again, the top one is the old one.

and its not even round!



I think the piston was pushing the gasket against the head...

Looks like your new gasket isn't for an 836 overbore...
Did you actually measure them to compare bore diameter?

[LesterPiglet]

I would try the old gasket, the worst it can do is leak.

[MCRider]

I'm with CR and LP.

Also, it doesn't matter that its not exactly round. Would be nice, but not a deal breaker.

Both gaskets came from 836 kits?

Obviously the big one is it, 65mm. Easy to get spares if you have time.

The problem with using an old one over is the metal ring has been squished, so a purist would go ballistic and say NO!

But the practical among us say it'll likely work fine (I've done it).

[Elan]

sounds good

If i get a leak down the road ill consider it an opportunity to put in the gordon kit

[lucky]

Did the cam chain get bunched up down in the bottom of the case???

If not then you need a thicker head gasket.
A lot thicker. The pistons need at least .010 clearance when hot.
You may need a gasket that is .020 when crushed.
We need much more info.


Engine number.
Type or brand of pistons.
Rods etc.,.

THey are the ebay pistons. Engine is a73', head is earlier.  cylinds could be a different year-unkown. Stock rods.  Engine worked with the 836 kit before, I got a new head, put in new base gasket/headgasket and now I have the problem

Do you know what year the new head is?

[lucky]

Did the cam chain get bunched up down in the bottom of the case???

If not then you need a thicker head gasket.
A lot thicker. The pistons need at least .010 clearance when hot.
You may need a gasket that is .020 when crushed.
We need much more info.


Engine number.
Type or brand of pistons.
Rods etc.,.

THey are the ebay pistons. Engine is a73', head is earlier.  cylinds could be a different year-unkown. Stock rods.  Engine worked with the 836 kit before, I got a new head, put in new base gasket/headgasket and now I have the problem

Do you know what year the new head is?

[Elan]

theres no number on it, mreick said its early... the aluminum fin supports on the edge of the fins, not recessed

[MRieck]

I have a ton of 836 gaskets on hand Elan. The OEM gaskets were that "oval" shape. Even stock bore Cometic's etc are round. Oh....I guess the washers got there OK.

[Elan]

I have a ton of 836 gaskets on hand Elan. The OEM gaskets were that "oval" shape. Even stock bore Cometic's etc are round. Oh....I guess the washers got there OK.

Hey mike, I think I have some more business for you, just sent an email...