Root Cause of Head gasket Failure and a Fix?

[AJxtcman]

Originally Posted by bacardi

Just trying to understand...Even if I'm lucky enough to successively remove every head bolt, replace the gasket and install new bolts there's a high rate of failure? Only norms kit or 97's stud kit will permanently (relative term) fix the problem? Am I correct?

That is how I see it if you have a deteriorated block. That is why the bolts pull free

[ferchja]

After seeing the videos, I spotted this on Google Maps.

Anyone know who this belongs to?



Sorry had to do it One great looking car, and one hell of a speedster.

Jeremy

[ferchja]

Thanks for the time today. I am interested in the thought of putting a 2005 engine in the 98 STS. What cost/parts would be needed? Before I dump $1G into this engine on the stud kit, if I can spend it better somewhere else with more benefits then I would.

If you have time, give me a call...262-825-8005

If not no worries, I know you are busy. If you have a link on this topic already let me know. Will dive into it deeper.

Thanks again.

Jeremy

[tateos]

jeremy:

A 2005 engine will not easily be installed in a 1998 car - AJ and Jake and others can elaborate, but the easiest and least expensive solution is to repair that engine or replace with a '97-'99 (not positive on the years) engine that can be and has been properly inserted or studded.

Richard Moore

[dnihan]

what about these stud kits im seeing, seems like they would be far better than any insert. i am about to do my 98 and i am planning on studs. dan

[tateos]

I did Norm's - worked out fine - I would have done studs if they had been available - excellent product!

[93eldodave]

What about a stud kit? on a good block with no repairs..

[stssteve]

My 98 STS' head gaskets failed in April 2008 with 121K mi on the car, a couple of the original bolts had let go a bit as well. I had owned the car since 50K mi and am meticulous with the care and maintenance. Changed coolant every 2 years, car was 1 happy owner (bought a new 2003 STS when they sold me this one) before me dealer maintained and is dealer maintained religiously by me. I was smelling coolant on and off for almost 1 year before they actually failed, I was topping up the overfill with about 6oz every 2 weeks consistently. The dealer had replaced the water pump and gasket, thermostat housing, upper rad hose. I could still hear noise that sounded like it was coming from the heater core and made a slurping sound. I now know that was exhaust gas getting into the coolant. It eventually totally failed dumping coolant onto the ground on the front left side where the rad had also cracked.
I noticed Jake's ad locally when my car was getting the outrageous estimate at the dealer of over $4500 to do that and replace the rad which had also blown at the same time. Jake did the HG job with his stud kit and Fel-Pro's. It is now 25K and over a year later with mixed driving (city traffic getting to the highway daily) and not a hint of an issue. I truly believe this product will outlast any insert application. I would recomend his studkit and work to anyone.

[mikelawson]

How would a steel stud out last a steel insert of the same size? Both are 5/8X11 thread, so the weakness is STILL and ALWAYS will be the aluminum block. I'm not sure why people struggle with this idea. I have seen failed timeserts, but in reality the steel timeserts are fine, it's the block that has failed since the timeserts external threads are still fine threaded. Studs or inserts are not the end all solution. I feel confident that 10 years from now these cars that I have repaired and others with studs will still have head gasket failures. The bolts may not fail, but the weakness is obviously the graphite gaskets. Graphite is easier to seal, but why has the industry moved to MLS gaskets,...... simple reliability. If the original setup lasts 10 years, if get another 10 years out of the gaskets, isn't it best to use the cheapest repair possible? A 98 Seville will be 21 years old by then and worth about 500.00, so it's best to save every penny possible. I would love to use studs and cometic mls gaskets, but that would add 400.00 to the repair, and doesn't make economic sense. I've offered this to several customers (Norms inserts with ARP head studs), but once I explain this to them, they always choose the factory setup.

[bigds01]

Hey,

I am looking at using a 93 Seville SLS in a 24hours of lemons race. The car has the signs of a blown HG. If I do norm's kit, and replace the gasket is that enough to keep this car running well or do I need to do something else?

Thanks