head gasket leak

[bigbad400]

about 2 months ago i rebuilt my 400 with a 440, the first time i put it together i had a major head gasket leak to the point i didnt even let it turn over twice. i pulled everything all back apart and put another new gasket in and put some spray on head gasket sealer on it and put it back together again, well it never seated all the way in then either, it bubbles out just a slight little bit on the head. i dont want to ruin anything so im obviously gonna get another gasket kit and tear into it again but im affraid that it wont help, could one of my gt studs be backed out a turn causing the nut to not tighten up the gap?

i always torque everything to spec but somethings not right. what do you guys think it could be and how would i fix it?

[AJG400]

warped head?

[rocky_mtn_honda]

warped cylinder head would definately be the first thing i checked...take the head off and lay it on a flat work bench...use a speed square for framing or something along those lines along with a set of feeler gauges to see what kind of gaps you have in many different spots on the bottom of the heads surface...sounds like your head got super hot, but it could be the studs, but highly doubt it...anythings possible

<a href="http://s759.photobucket.com/albums/xx239/rocky_mtn_honda/TRX400EX%20Manual%20Pages/?action=view&current=cylinderwarpage.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i759.photobucket.com/albums/xx239/rocky_mtn_honda/TRX400EX%20Manual%20Pages/cylinderwarpage.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a>

[dariusld]

How did you do the 440? Did you buy the 440 cylinder done or do it yourself with your stock cylinder?

[sab24711]

re torque your studs and if that doesn't work get some stainless steel helicoils just as strong as hd studs and cheaper oh ad also go with the steel gasket. oops you already have the hd studs just get the steel gasket

[togup]

One more thing to check is both faces, the jug and the head for any type of gouge or scrape. it could be something on the gasket also,just look it over close most of the time its something simple.

[bigbad400]

i did use the steel gasket, its a 3 piece layered gasket. i got the jug from a guy on craigslist but had a 440 sleeve put in it.
i think im gonna get one of those big bore cylinders a new gasket kit and a new set of 11:1 rings. ill buy new hd studs and put it all together. then there is no wondering all the parts are new. the big bore jug is only 189 shipped, 30 for rings, and a 89mm gasket kit, prolly about 45. then 55 for the hd studs.


it wont be too bad but i didnt want to do this **** twice.