Headgasket notch question
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Headgasket notch question
Hello, I was reading somewhere on this board that you can tell how many notches your headgasket has without pulling the head. I thought it was in the engine manual but I cant find it. Can anyone clue me in on how this works. I do see a couple notches by the ID number of the engine (1 on each side) but Im not sure if that is the right place to look. THanks Gordon.
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- Posts: 95
- Joined: 14 years ago
- Location: Bradenton, FL
Thanks, I think I can see one notch but I cant tell for sure. I got the thickest gasket from Carquest too, but it doesnt have any notches. They might be able to get the thinner one, but I only ordered one. I figured worst case scenario I could shave the head a bit. the one I got was indeed a victor. Gordo
- asavage
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I could be wrong, but I don't think you'll be shaving the head much. It's a diesel.JasperG wrote: I figured worst case scenario I could shave the head a bit.
The varying gasket thicknesses accommodate the varying deck heights and piston protrusion. I don't think you can do a thing by shaving the head. But I've been wrong before, and I haven't looked at this in a long time.
You pretty much have to use the right gasket thickness. Too short, the interference factor (ouch!); too thick, large change in compression ratio & driveability.
Regards,
Al S.
1982 Maxima diesel wagon, 2nd & 4th owner, 165k miles, rusty & burgundy/grey. Purchased 1996, SOLD 16Feb10
1983 Maxima diesel wagon, 199k miles, rusty, light yellow/light brown. SOLD 14Jul07
1981 720 SD22 (scrapped 04Sep07)
1983 Sentra CD17, 255k, bought 06Jul08, gave it away 22Jun10.
Al S.
1982 Maxima diesel wagon, 2nd & 4th owner, 165k miles, rusty & burgundy/grey. Purchased 1996, SOLD 16Feb10
1983 Maxima diesel wagon, 199k miles, rusty, light yellow/light brown. SOLD 14Jul07
1981 720 SD22 (scrapped 04Sep07)
1983 Sentra CD17, 255k, bought 06Jul08, gave it away 22Jun10.
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- Posts: 95
- Joined: 14 years ago
- Location: Bradenton, FL
Thanks for the heads up Al. I will have to pull that head off and find out exactly which gasket i have. I guess if I cant tell, I could measure deck height and figure it out from there. I saw somewhere where the deck height could be translated into which gasket I need, but I cant recall where. Hopefully in the manual I found online it has that info. Much appreciated.
- asavage
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1982 Maxima FSM, page EM-36 & EM37, shows the procedure and charts the piston projection ranges for each of the three gasket thicknesses.
eBay has the FSMs fairly often and pretty cheap. Though none right now. There are a couple in eBay Stores right now, but they start at $40, which is a bit steep.
You'll want the Maxima FSM even though you're not dealing with a Maxima, because the engine, fuel, and electrical sections are so darned useful.
The Generic Nissan LD series Manual does not seem to have this chart.
eBay has the FSMs fairly often and pretty cheap. Though none right now. There are a couple in eBay Stores right now, but they start at $40, which is a bit steep.
You'll want the Maxima FSM even though you're not dealing with a Maxima, because the engine, fuel, and electrical sections are so darned useful.
The Generic Nissan LD series Manual does not seem to have this chart.
Regards,
Al S.
1982 Maxima diesel wagon, 2nd & 4th owner, 165k miles, rusty & burgundy/grey. Purchased 1996, SOLD 16Feb10
1983 Maxima diesel wagon, 199k miles, rusty, light yellow/light brown. SOLD 14Jul07
1981 720 SD22 (scrapped 04Sep07)
1983 Sentra CD17, 255k, bought 06Jul08, gave it away 22Jun10.
Al S.
1982 Maxima diesel wagon, 2nd & 4th owner, 165k miles, rusty & burgundy/grey. Purchased 1996, SOLD 16Feb10
1983 Maxima diesel wagon, 199k miles, rusty, light yellow/light brown. SOLD 14Jul07
1981 720 SD22 (scrapped 04Sep07)
1983 Sentra CD17, 255k, bought 06Jul08, gave it away 22Jun10.
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- Posts: 95
- Joined: 14 years ago
- Location: Bradenton, FL
I ordered what I thought was a diesel manual, but the guy sent a regular manual for the 81 Datsun B810. Its HUGE, but it doesnt cover the diesel engine at all. I emailed him back to get the correct one he listed. This is the link below. Is the 82 Maxima manual the one I need or will this diesel version for the 81 suffice. I appreciate the help in advance. Gordon.
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayI ... MEWNX%3AIT
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayI ... MEWNX%3AIT
- asavage
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- Location: Oak Harbor, Wash.
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You might want to scan The FAQ. It would have informed you that the 1981 Maxima FSM contains no diesel info. The '82 & '83 FSMs do.
The link you posted does show the 1981 Diesel Supplement. However, there are several errors in that manual. I recommend obtaining the later FSM instead. List of known FSM errors are here.
Here's an '82 FSM for $16 shipped:
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayI ... 0084050451
The link you posted does show the 1981 Diesel Supplement. However, there are several errors in that manual. I recommend obtaining the later FSM instead. List of known FSM errors are here.
Here's an '82 FSM for $16 shipped:
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayI ... 0084050451
Regards,
Al S.
1982 Maxima diesel wagon, 2nd & 4th owner, 165k miles, rusty & burgundy/grey. Purchased 1996, SOLD 16Feb10
1983 Maxima diesel wagon, 199k miles, rusty, light yellow/light brown. SOLD 14Jul07
1981 720 SD22 (scrapped 04Sep07)
1983 Sentra CD17, 255k, bought 06Jul08, gave it away 22Jun10.
Al S.
1982 Maxima diesel wagon, 2nd & 4th owner, 165k miles, rusty & burgundy/grey. Purchased 1996, SOLD 16Feb10
1983 Maxima diesel wagon, 199k miles, rusty, light yellow/light brown. SOLD 14Jul07
1981 720 SD22 (scrapped 04Sep07)
1983 Sentra CD17, 255k, bought 06Jul08, gave it away 22Jun10.
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