The V8 Owners Forum -

Gang, I'm interested to hear from anyone who's suffered head gasket failure on a rover V8 lump, I want to compile some statistics to back up a possible theory of mine. (Yep, I'm sad, lol)

If you have,
1. what engine size?
2. what type of gasket?
3. what head fixings- early, stretch bolts, or studs?
4. did replacing the gaskets cure the original problem?

Thanks.

3.5 litre SD1 Rover V8.

Unknown gaskets but assuming Composite.

Unknown head bolts at time, but assuming standard stretch bolts.

Gasket failure was attributed to 'fuel contamination' and bad ignition set up at the time. Gaskets were replaced but engine was breathing very heavily, and finally gave up the ghost a short time later. That's when I binned the lot and started again, only to get shafted for £2.5k . Meh ya live and learn.

This was the engine in my MG when I bought it. The engine was an original early 80s SD1 with a factory fitted Janspeed twin turbo kit running suck-thru SUs (the big ones) and standard boost (circa 5-6psi).

Need any more info just ask fella.

Hello Badger,

I have had a Rover V8 that suffered head gasket failure...details are :

(1) 3.5
(2) tin
(3) early 14 bolt, all high tensile
(4) composite gaskets fitted, problem cured.

The engine was approx 21 years old at the time, and the gasket has cracked.

Ron.

Yes, a few times.....

3.5 EFi
--------
0. Symptom was exhaust blowing type noise
1. 3.5
2. Tin
3. Stretch
4. Replaced with Composite, original problem cured.

0. Same engine as above, but with new composite gaskets. Symptom was oil leaking from around the head gasket, suggesting insufficient clamping force.
1. 3.5
2. Composite
3. Stretch
4. Replaced with composite + early bolts, problem cured.
I tested the head bolts for tensile strength and found them to be lacking when compared to some OEM ones I had. I complained to the manufacturer and heard nothing. I will avoid that particular Spanish manufacturer from now on (Aduja or something, I forget now)

Final configuration of composite + early bolts seems solid.

4.6 Carb
----------
0. Symptom was exhaust blowing noise. Blowing to the outside of the block on centre two on each bank.
1. 4.6
2. Tin
3. Stretch
4. Replaced with composite + stretch, problem cured.

My recommendation would be to use composite + early bolts in all situations.

All builds left out the outer row of 4 short bolts.

Chris.

3.5 Supercharged, RS composite gasked, ARP studs, standard SD1 heads .
Failure between 4&6 by lean mixture.
New float in the Holley secondairys cured the problem
Was driving narrow band Lambda so saw the problem way too late.
Driving Inovate wide band now so this problem is also cured

(1) 3.5
(2) Tin
(3) Early bolts, all 14 fitted (not by me!)

After 5k miles the heads were removed, the gasket were showing signs that they would fail in the valley area in the near future. (Maybe due to the outer bolts)

(1) 3.5
(2) Comps from V8Dev
(3) Early bolts, 10 fitted

After 4k miles the engine was pulled apart due to lack of power, the rings where all shot. The gaskets looked OK but I did not really inspect them.


(1) 4.6
(2) Comps that came with the short block
(3) Arp studs (10 fitted)

Touch wood, it's been OK

The Arp stuff makes the Rover bolts look like a load of cheap self tappers!

Pete

Mine blew out on near side. Gave a very loud ssssttt noise on each compression.
Engine was originally 3.5 SD1 bored & stroked by J.E. Engineering to 4.5.
Composite gasket replaced by composite.
Original bolts re-used.
Had oil seeping around the join for a few months prior, so maybe suspect tightness.
They were 14 bolt heads but only using 10. Put back as they were.

Ran like a dream after.

Used RPi composite gasket set.

Here's my thread.....
http://www.v8forum.co.uk/forum/viewtopi ... sc&start=0

So what's the theory then Badger?

Chris.

on my 3.9 ultra hi comp engine, I could see slight tracking when I took the heads off between 2 & 4
ARP studs were fitted with 10 bolt heads, with tins, refitted the tins and and as yet no leaks

4 engines in the last 6 years. Two with ARP. One with stretch bolts and two with OEM bolts (outer 4 only nipped up)
All with comp gaskets. No failures yet (fingers crossed)
I'm not keen on the 90degree + 90degree stretch bolts. You seem to have to lean on them very hard for the second turn. I measured the torque after the first tighten and they were already at 70ft/lbs. And I distinctly felt one give way a bit on the last turn down. Engine still ok though.

Original pre SD1 had 90k on the clock when I got it. Ran it for 2 years on gas. Stripped off the tin gaskets and found no faults.

Whats the theory Badger??

Well, we all know about premature blowing into the valley area when all 14 bolts are torqued as per the book with tin gaskets, but from my own experience with customer vehicles there seems to be a severe tendency towards failure of gaskets when stretch bolts are fitted. I reckon about 30% of all engines with stretch bolts will blow a head gasket at or before 80,000 miles. I've yet to see a failure with studs, and I've had no failures on any composites with old style bolts either, except on 4.6 engines where I really feel studs are a must. I was just looking to see if there was any evidence to support this. I agree with the comments made about the stretch bolts "giving" as the final 90 degrees is applied, it's somewhat disconcerting as you feel them go whilst tightening - you get that "is it pulling the thread out" feeling, lol.

I'll echo the stretch bolt paranoia. I put the first head back on with stretch bolts, did the first 90 but couldn't budge the 2'nd 90
So I took them out & put the original bolts back in.
If I have to do it again I'll definately use studs.

"you get that "is it pulling the thread out" feeling"

Exactly what I felt Badger...I could not make my mind up if the thread was stripping out or if the bolt was letting go. I expected to have half a bolt in my hand, or a whole bolt with lots of ally in the threads.

Luckily I had neither, and the engine is ok. But I didnt like the stretch bolt experience one bit. I'll stick with ARP from now on as I feel comfy with them now.

Funnily enough, that engine is coming back to me in a couple of months for some new heads to be fitted. I'll tell my mate to splash out on an ARP kit. Then I'll take the bolts out and measure them. I remember the one that had me worried so I'll be taking that one out first and marking it.