Just got my new engine.. and gasket kit was automotive :-(

[moparron]

So my new (4.3 V6 - pre vortec) motor arrived this morning. I got home to give it a good once or twice over and noticed on the gasket kit they sent it's automotive. Now I am sad.. I am assuming that now I have ot tear down my new motor and replace the friggin head gaskets! I looked and they are fel pro gaskets, I assume form the kit they sent. Since I boat in brackish (salt) water, I really don't want to take a chance on burning up this motor.

Am I correct in my thinking?? Or does it really matter? The gasket kit that I recieved was sealed power 260-1241

 

[alldodge]

The gasket kit that I recieved was sealed power 260-1241

Yes it is an automotive only set and would be OK IMO, only if you had closed cooling. So unless your head gasket is a Fel-Pro 17010 I think you have an issue
http://www.summitracing.com/parts/fel-17010/overview/

 

[Bondo]

Ayuh,..... Who'd ya get the motor from,..??

Mountin' the exhaust manifolds will be Impossible with those gaskets,....

Ya need one piece exhaust gaskets, so's ya can hold 'em In-place with 2 studs, 'n bolt 'em on with the bolts,...

 

[GA_Boater]

I would check the core plugs to see if you got steel plugs.

 

[moparron]

I did figure i would have to get exhaust and riser gaskets anyway since I bought a long block - so that wasn't a big deal. It's the head gaskets that pretty much tick me off.
i got the motor from a Marine engine rebuilder and figured it would have the correct head gaskets

 

[alldodge]

Have heard about Repido for so many times, and everyone raves, but was always suspect because of other issues. What about calling them and ask about the head gasket?

 

[Alumarine]

I thought the head gaskets in the sealed power kit were stainless?

 

[moparron]

All the freeze plugs are brass... they aren't painted - so its good there. I don't if the sealed power head gaskets are stainless or not. All I can see is the felpro "blue" . If they are stainless - then I'm good!
I plan on calling them this morning and asking them what's up with the head gaskets.

 

[moparron]

Okay... since Marc C mentioned that he thought the gaskets were stainless. I went into heavy research mode. The head gaskets in the kit are "permatorque" so I looked up permatorqe and found this:

PermaTorque SD gaskets get their strength and longevity from six key product features:
1. Armor Thickness ? Thicker armor creates a more detonation-resistant combustion seal, increases radial strength, and maximizes loading (and sealing performance) around the combustion openings.
2. Armor Material ? Use of high-grade Austinetic (non-magnetic) stainless steel increases radial strength, corrosion resistance and detonation resistance.
3. Body Core Thickness ? Solid-steel-core gaskets have higher radial strength than perforated core gaskets. ?Severe Duty? core material is 25% thicker than normal, further increasing radial strength.
4. Printoseal? Sealing Beads ? These enhance fluid sealing in strategic areas without removing excessive load from the combustion seal. They also allow the use of thicker armor.
5. Specialized Coatings ? These provide increased fluid sealing and anti-stick properties.
6. Hot Press Flattening ? Helps embed the armor into the gasket facing material, reducing torque loss. Use of heat imbeds the armor more deeply and consistently, and allows use of thicker armor.

Feeling a little less ticked off now

 

[alldodge]

I see solid steel core but didn't see stainless

 

[moparron]

#2 austinetic stainless steel ?

 

[biggjimm]

I'd call the manufacturer tech dept. Then there's no guessing. I've dealt with sealed power before & they were more than helpful. Good luck. Jim.

 

[Bondo]

2. Armor Material ? Use of high-grade Austinetic (non-magnetic) stainless steel increases radial strength, corrosion resistance and detonation resistance.

Ayuh,.... It's a steel fire ring, wrapped in ssteel,.... No problem, other than the multi-piece exhaust gaskets,....

 

[smokeonthewater]

SS around the cylinders but not around the water passages..... Personally I'd change em.

With a long block it'd take less time that typing in this thread... Almost

 

[Bondo]

SS around the cylinders but not around the water passages..... Personally I'd change em.

With a long block it'd take less time that typing in this thread... Almost

Ayuh,.... They're composite gaskets, the only metal is around the cylinders,.....

 

[moparron]

Been a while - But I thought I would post the newest on the motor. If for nothing else for future reference for someone searching for information. I had encountered several issues with the replacement motor. 1) automotive head gaskets 2) when I chased out the threads on the rear of the motor - one of the ears broke off 3) I believed I was getting a roller cam motor (which I did not).
I contacted rapido about issue number 2 when it happened, without the best of responses. when I realized the cam was wrong. I sat down and wrote a professional e-mail (not ranting and raving) of my experience. The next day they called me asking what I wanted.. I said I wanted the motor to be right - nothing more, nothing less. They issued a call tag for the motor that was in my garage that day and said they would build me the correct motor. Since everything was done on cell phone - it was a misunderstanding between both of us about the roller cam motor so that would be an additional cost. ugghh :-(
The motor was picked up promptly... but not delivered. Trucking company sort of misplaced it for over a week (Not Rapido's fault), they reviewed the motor - agreed there were issues with it. And sent me a new rebuilt which just arrived this last week.
Things I have learned;
1)be overly specific on what you expect from the beginning from any marine company
2)re-verify before item is shipped
3) run tracking numbers every day
4) There are still companies out there that will make things right

 

[Alumarine]

Glad they made it right.