Head Gasket Help

[stein700sx]

So I going to change the head gasket on the Viper today because I think of have some compression blowing into the coolant system. I remove the head and find that I am right. The gasket at the top of the center piston shows a leak. Remove the gasket clean up the surfaces and grab the new one to install. The new one is different . It has three layers. Upon further inspection I see that the previous owner removed two layers of the gasket and was only using one layer. What will be the implications if I go back to the original three layers? Keeping in mind that this motor is trail ported.

 

[stein700sx]

Here's some pics of the pistons and plugs as well. Judging by some other posts, are these running a little lean??

 

[bluemonster1]

you'll be safter..I have my own problems going on here

 

[bluemonster1]

plugs look lean,better jet up sony boy..lol

 

[mopar1rules]

stein, you are a little lean. what are your current mods and what's current jetting?

 

[stein700sx]

Trail ported by mrviper700
Bender 4x4 pipe and stock can
Stock jetting
Idle air at 2 turns out
7000 total miles on sled 2500 miles on porting and new rings

 

[mopar1rules]

i would suggest going from the stock 156.3 mains, to 160's, and see what piston wash that brings you. i wouldn't feel safe running your sled w/that piston wash (or lack there of), on the trails for any longer periods of wot.

 

[mopar1rules]

oh, to answer you question about the head gasket, w/going from a 1 layer gasket to 3 layer, that will reduce your compression, but make it more tolerant to lower octane fuels. it'll be more forgiving for the trails. expect to lose some throttle response tho.

 

[ryanryan]

Yup, looking lean....plugs and piston wash. Doesn't look safe to me. Like Mopar said, no problem going from 1 layer to 3, but you will loose compression.

 

[stein700sx]

I must be lucky. I've run the sled with this jetting for over 3500 miles. Done lots of long wot runs,even in temps as cold as -35c.

 

[bluemonster1]

don't speak to early.It's gonna be -35 on Tues and Wed nights this week coming..why don't you give it a shot and see what happens.You are on the edge ..ready for another Viper to go down!!!! But it is your call....