head gasket

[lightning_2000]

i recently had a 440 kit put in and i have ran into a problem
i have blowed 2 headgaskets the first was a cheap one and the second was a cometic both gaskets blew in the same spot

i have searched and most say the head studs would be the problem. everything was still torqued to the proper settings except for 2 of the head nuts. Pulled the studs out of the head to check them and all were still torqued and popped when broke lose all the threads were perfect no burrs shavings nothing so what i am asking is could it just need the head surfaced and decked or something else
what is your opinion

[underpowered]

heavy duty head studs and a cometic flexsteel gasket should fix it.

[cals400ex]

it could be the studs, it could be a warped surface, it could be the nuts needed torqued properly, it could be the surfaces just needed cleaned better....

[lightning_2000]

with everything apart and cleaned up there is a uneven surface around where the gasket keeps blowing
going to the machine shop monday to get surfaced and cleaned up
i love this site alot of great information i have a lot done to my 400 and hope to do a lot more

440's blow head gaskets like theirs no tomaro at least the higher compreshion ones do.

now u should stroke it +7mm

[tprender]

Now that you have it apart, go to GTThunder and get the studs. It will be the best $59 that you will spend on the 440. This will stop the gasket problem.

[400exrider707]

Originally posted by blue450yo
440's blow head gaskets like theirs no tomaro at least the higher compreshion ones do.

now u should stroke it +7mm


Incorrect, 440s that aren't built properly blow head gaskets like crazy. Sad part is most average joes dont build 440's correctly and thats why most of the 440's you hear about blow head gaskets..........:ermm:

[440exnacsracer]

Originally posted by 400exrider707
Incorrect, 440s that aren't built properly blow head gaskets like crazy. Sad part is most average joes dont build 440's correctly and thats why most of the 440's you hear about blow head gaskets..........:ermm:

by "properly" do you mean installing HD studs? ive had 440 cylinders done by big companies and small machine shops and hade the same results. the stock studs actually stretch from the higher compression and heat of a big bore kit, allowing blow-by, resulting in blown head gaskets