Does this 7m still have life in it? (56k warning!)

[BeRad]

crc gasket stripper is good for removing gunk on the block etc eats any standard manifold and just turns it into sludge, good investment for cleaning in my eyes

[whatthe?]

I think if youre planning ARP studs and MHG youre really better off pulling the engine and machining both head and block. A properly sealed metal gasket needs a mirror-like finish on both surfaces. You dont want to keep having to replace these bloody expensive things! As cruzida would say "Do it once, do it right or dont complain!"

[mic*]

Yeah,

I agree, if you are going to spend money on the good stuff. Take your time and check it all out propoerly.

To someone who said why isnt a gasket on his list, go back and read VRS kit. You need more than just a head gasket, there are manifolds, and exhaust flanges, and you always do much better to buy the whole kit. However dunno if there are full kits available with the performance gaskets you mention in em???

I still beleive that you could have this 7M running as good as any stocko 7M around without dimantling the bottom. Abovementioned kero and a scotchbrite and a lotta elbowgrease in the cylinders. I will testify that i have done a head gasket on a four cylinder (CA16?) that looked almost identical to the condition of yours that way coz my friend only had $340 to get the whole thing done start to finish. It almost felt stupid at times the patience we took around the cylinders but this happened at 100,000ks this little pulsar gets the absolute shit flogged out of it, still does. At about 160,000 he came into a bit of cash, added a chip, exhaust & extractors, swaybars & wheels - just so the poor thing can get punished a little harder. It now is on 250,000k's and he still mucks around racing new commonwhores. The engine is still hardly showing any signs of getting tired. Compression is perfect.

But if you have aspirations for this motor take your time. It will be worth it. And i mean that, im just all about options...