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Jeep F Head Gasket Question

Discussion in 'Early CJ5 and CJ6 Tech' started by samned, Sep 23, 2016.

  1. Sep 23, 2016
    samned

    samned Member

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    So I replaced the Head gasket on my 1952 M38A1 today. I put the new gasket in exactly the way the old one came out, with the metal side up. I did spray the gasket with the copper sealant . Started the motor and everything looks fine. Did I screw this up?
     
  2. Sep 23, 2016
    samned

    samned Member

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    am I safe to leave it alone or do I need to change it asap.
     
  3. Sep 23, 2016
    Glenn

    Glenn Kinda grumpy old man Staff Member

    Apopka, Fl
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    Did the metal wrap around the gasket around the cylinder holes? Why did you change the gasket?
     
  4. Sep 23, 2016
    samned

    samned Member

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    I was chasing down the source of an oil leak. For some reason the motor was burning oil. I changed the fuel pump and it did not stop smoking. I removed the head to check the valve seals and guides. While I had it out I went ahead and had a local machine shop check the head for cracks, true the head and do a valve job, check the valve guides and replace the valve seals. I bought a new Fel Pro gasket from a local auto parts store. The gasket appeared to match either way so I put it in like the old one came out.

    The valve seals were in bad shape, and was most likely the source of the oil.
     
  5. Sep 23, 2016
    Glenn

    Glenn Kinda grumpy old man Staff Member

    Apopka, Fl
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    Did the metal wrap around the gasket around the cylinder holes?
     
  6. Sep 23, 2016
    Glenn

    Glenn Kinda grumpy old man Staff Member

    Apopka, Fl
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    I used the copper spray on mine earlier this year, seems fine.
     
  7. Sep 23, 2016
    samned

    samned Member

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    Yes the gasket had the metal that wrapped around the fiber around the coolant passages and cylinders
     
  8. Sep 23, 2016
    Glenn

    Glenn Kinda grumpy old man Staff Member

    Apopka, Fl
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    I'm sure it will be fine as it is then.
     
  9. Sep 24, 2016
    jeepstar

    jeepstar Well-Known Member 2024 Sponsor 2023 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

    Sheboygan
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    Why do you assume you screwed this up, or need to change it?
     
  10. Sep 24, 2016
    montanacj

    montanacj Member

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    I have seen the copper spray used on subaru head gasket jobs quite frequently, I'm sure you're fine and just suffering from over analysis paralysis which is very common in the auto repair world :cool:
     
  11. Sep 24, 2016
    samned

    samned Member

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    It went together too easy, and that was bothering me. Most of the time everything I work on is a fight.
     
    Danefraz and 47v6 like this.
  12. Sep 24, 2016
    Glenn

    Glenn Kinda grumpy old man Staff Member

    Apopka, Fl
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    Definitely been there. Work on something, know I'm doing it right. Everything is fine but have this nagging question in my mind about "did I do so and so".
     
  13. Sep 24, 2016
    Danefraz

    Danefraz Well-Known Member 2023 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

    Chico CA
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    ^^^
    Was thinking the other day... did i wire the nuts in the transmission shift tower?
     
  14. Sep 25, 2016
    Stout

    Stout Member

    Quakertown, PA
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    I know the feeling, I'm the same way. I think the copper spray is optional but it certainly doesn't hurt, it just makes it more difficult to change in the future. You will need to re-torque the head bolts after a few hundred miles.

    Did you use sealant on the head bolts? Most of them enter the water jacket and require sealant or they may leak.
     
    Rick Whitson likes this.
  15. Oct 16, 2019
    CJason-5

    CJason-5 New Member

    Texas
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    Just curious.......were the valve seals the problem? Thinking about doing the same on mine. I have good compression 132-125 (140'ish wet tested) and it smokes all the time.
     
  16. Oct 17, 2019
    Rick Whitson

    Rick Whitson Detroit Area 2024 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

    I live South of...
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    Welcome from Michigan, CJason-5, and Samned. I do the same thing, I go over and over everything I do in my head after I "FIX" something, it is normal, Samned. CJason, if you have good oil pressure, and good compression and are still smoking a little, it is a good chance that your intake valve guide seals are bad. That is an easy fix. You can pressurize the cylinder with air to hold the valve in place, and remove the springs and replace the seals, without a lot of trouble. Good luck.
     
    CJason-5 likes this.
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