Quote:
Originally Posted by 80stech
The biggest thing that scares me about doing a head gasket would be needing to use the time serts or big serts if Helicoils don't work ?? I can't see how any insert that is bigger than the bolt hole in the gasket does not compromise the clamping force or seal. No way is the top flange going to be perfect unless it's machined down with the block and even then the head bolt will be pulling on it before it pulls on the block unless maybe it's locked into place with maybe Loctite and/or/ more torque than is put on by the head bolt.
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Do Not do a head gasket unless you are sure it is your problem..Head gaskets don't usually fail just because of mileage.
BUT, this shouldn't scare you in the least... The E53 is a great car to do a head gasket on...The car stays on it wheels the whole time and there is a ton of access on the 6 cylinder E53's. I have done it twice on an E53...
Forget about using helicoils..wrong application. Go right to regular time-serts. I am happy to rent you Time-sert kit 1090 and offer every pointer I have. I have time-serted 10 M54's including one this week. The 1090 time-sert drill bit leaves a 6mm (3mm?) countersink, so the insert flange is well below the block surface.