3.0 omc new head gasket leaks! HELP

[bansheejoel]

I just got my head back from being machined and cleaned up the block deck spotless. I put a new aftermarket head gasket on and did the rite torque sequence and ended at 90ft lbs. I then pressure tested the cooling system and im leaking from the top of the head gasket around the edge of the whole head. Whats the deal? Only thing i could come up with is the aftermarket gasket has the fire rings that stick up kinda high and it didnt collapse them. Anyone else heared of anything like this. Need help as its my salmon boat and the salmon are in!! Thank you

 

[Alpheus]

Re: 3.0 omc new head gasket leaks! HELP

How did you pressurize the cooling system? What psi???

 

[bansheejoel]

Re: 3.0 omc new head gasket leaks! HELP

I took off the hoses the run into and out of the thermostat housing and put a guage on one end and a shrader valve on the other to pump in air. Pumped it up to 15psi.

 

[bansheejoel]

Re: 3.0 omc new head gasket leaks! HELP

the leaking gasket is a ebay kit made in china. The fire rings for the cylinders stick up kinda high on the top and bottom im not sure if there anrt getting crushed when i torqued down the head or what. I just ordered the serria one, it looks alot better....any ideas?

 

[Adirondack]

Re: 3.0 omc new head gasket leaks! HELP

Sounds like your doing everything right. possibly removing the gasket to get a look at it would give you a better idea what happened. I never did like the metal gaskets that GM uses. I always used a coating of spray on hi-tac to help the seal a bit. On engines that have been machined head and block I prefered to use a composit gasket. I believe Fel-Pro makes one. Other than that, straight clean surfaces. Properly torqued it should seal.