Head came Loose....

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Stumpdiggitty

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dang guys ,as the title says, head came loose on my xsc's GP290 while driving the other day. Idle went up and i shut it down and noticed the head wobbling around. also when this happened, the coil came loose and was pushed totally on the flywheel preventing any engine turn what so ever. at first, i thought i seized my piston or something, but after taking the cover off, found what the problem was. adjusted the gap (spark color is blue/orange), tightened the head and gave her a couple tugs and she fired right up. let er idle a bit then drove it down the street where it dies. tried restarting a few times with no luck so i figured something was damaged. what kinds of things should i be looking for? gaskets, piston/sleeve damage? i'm noobish when it comes to the engine taking apart thing, but i'm by no means dumb. =P
 
Did you just tighten everything back up or did you take it apart?

I'm thinking air leak. If your head was that loose the base gasket is most likely damaged. Also look for any scaring or groves scratched in the piston.
 
I would first take a second and have a gentle cry and then see if it has spark . The coil may have been killedand the gasket for the head needs replaced for sure. While the head is off for the gasket look for scaring on the piston and head. If they are fine its a compression and spark issue
 
Yeah, ive cried lol... im pretty sure the gasket is shot. I haven't tried restarting it since, i don't wanna further damage anything. I set my gap and there still is spark. But its orange and blue, not just blue like it was. I only took the fan cover off bert and thats when i noticed the coil issue. I will check the piston and sleeve when i get the copper gaskets. Figured those needed to be replaced anyways... was gonna check the headbolts before i ran too.... stupid!.....dammit dammit dammit.. hey bert, got the steering servo in!
 
At least im not alone through this troubling time lol. Should i get the copper gaskets? figured they wont blow out or damage as easily...Any other recommendations?
 
I would get a copper gasket go with the .010 thickness and pick up this sealant from largescalerc

PB170154.jpg
 
ok guys, piston and sleeve look ok, no visual marks that i can see. now, when i put this gasket on, is there any special methods as to tightening down the head? certain torque amount, or do i just crank it on down? any other info i should know about? installing copper gaskets all around and locktite-ing the head screws this time...
 
racetruck said:
I would get a copper gasket go with the .010 thickness and pick up this sealant from largescalerc
PB170154.jpg
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Race, I have to redo my motor but since im breaking it down, I have an ESP 30.5 crank, piston head kit, what size should the cooper gasket be for the right squish test???? I havn't touched this in over 2yrs, I have 2 cooper gaskets and want to make sure I use the right one with the head kit!! thanks:rolleyes:
 
98cruiser said:
Race, I have to redo my motor but since im breaking it down, I have an ESP 30.5 crank, piston head kit, what size should the cooper gasket be for the right squish test???? I havn't touched this in over 2yrs, I have 2 cooper gaskets and want to make sure I use the right one with the head kit!! thanks:rolleyes:
Click to expand...
Cruiser, If this is the kit you have:

cc254+dd3x - ESP Modified 30.5cc Big-Bore Combo Kit 4 HP

http://www.davesmotors.com/s.nl/c.885035/n.1/it.A/id.4754/.f

Then it says:

The stock 36mm cylinder does not have room for the longer crankshaft in this kit, so ESP has machined out the proper spacing. This is a more efficient and reliable solution than stacking gaskets to achieve the needed space, as there is proper spark plug clearance and the piston ring remains in the well-plated area of the cylinder. The squish band is cut so there will be .020"-.025" of squish (using the stock .020" cylinder gasket)

So you should be using a .020" gasket...and you shouldn't need to worry about squish with this ESP you'll be good to go
 
I know my son robn64 used a .012 copper gasket on his esp 28.5 and still had alot space i have been told you can put them together without a gasket and still have room that is why i made my own gasket out of steel and .010 gasket my next rebuild wont have any gasket to see if i get more perform out of my engine
 
racetruck said:
I know my son robn64 used a .012 copper gasket on his esp 28.5 and still had alot space i have been told you can put them together without a gasket and still have room that is why i made my own gasket out of steel and .010 gasket my next rebuild wont have any gasket to see if i get more perform out of my engine
Click to expand...
I built one about 12 months ago with no gasket. But still haven't ran it. I've got nothing that I want to pull an engine out of. I need another car lol.
 
Ill prob get a Mt again I would like to try the Xb but it needs to many replacement parts to run reliable. The Mt will be a project car and test mule.
 
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