Head swap q's

[Spaz!]

I am looking for a good place to buy head bolts and a head gasket for my m20. Getting ready to swap in the new head I bought a while ago.

I am considering a thinner head gasket to bump the comp ratio but I would like to still be able to run 87 oct. so not much. Any suggestions you guys have here would be greatly appreciated as well.

I was also wondering if there are any pitfalls I should look out for while doing this swap? This will be the first time I've done any real engine work on an m20 so any input to make the job smoother and easier will be greatly appreciated.

I will also be replacing the timing belt while I'm there and it looks like it would be a good time to do the water pump as well. Is there anything else I should change while I'm in there?

Head has a 272 cam and 1 mm oversize valves other than that it is stock.


TIA, Jon

[jlevie]

The best gasket is the one you get from a dealer, with a Goetz being close in quality. It doesn't seem to matter if you use BMW head bolts or some other brand.

You aren't going to enough difference in CR with thinner gasket, and it may not seal as well.

[Spaz!]

I thought as much on the gasket but thought I would ask anyway. I thought there was a problem with the factory head bolts stretching or something? Am I misinformed here? Can I reuse my originals? That'd be a couple hundred bucks I could spend on other goodies :)

[camip]

Head bolts are torque to yield so they only work once. I think there under $30 for the set.

[Spaz!]

I was planning on using ARP studs but for 200 bucks less I think I'll stick to OEM!! How the hell do they justify that price?!

[camip]

I believe there quiet a bit stronger and reusable. But oem is fine unless you're running a lot of boost.

[Spaz!]

They'd better be! No boost, strictly N/A.

[digger]

the thinner OEM gaskets are difficult to find these days, they are mostly 2.05mm ones as opposed to 1.75mm. I have used used goetze and dealer both are quality, forget about any others........no need for Arp unless you gonna pull the head a few times over its life or it is a serious build that will take its toll on the engine

[Spaz!]

It would be nice to be able to pull it in the future as I may choose to do more to it when I have fewer projects but at 30 bucks a set I think can afford to replace them a few times.