SPL311-18278

[Steve_69]

I talked to Tech Support at Mahle Aftermarket Products. The person I talked to looked up details from their supplier (they do not make their own head gaskets) and the photos they have on file show what their supplier sent them for accepted the quality under contract and they accepted egg-shaped products. This means that they could provide me a replacement, but it would be no better than the one I have. I questioned their ISO-9000 standing and they did not like that. They will be stopping acceptance from their supplier until a better quality product is provided (which may be never). Funny, the box says, "Made in America", but the tech support guy said they come from Japan. I suspect China. They said they would authorize a refund from Rock Auto. I have had good luck with a fork lift company thus far, so I ordered one from them ($8). My fear is they could be getting them from the same source. I will let everyone know what I receive. If it is not good, I will be seeking someone who will inspect their head gasket before shipping. It appears companies like Felpro no longer provide these. We will see how it goes. Hopefully, I will get something usable and this does not affect all suppliers of our needed parts. Note, all other gaskets in the box were good.

[spl310]

Even the Nissan gaskets that I have seen have an egg shape

[Mike Unger]

Lay it on your cylinder head and see how it looks. The combustion chamber isn't round.

[Steve_69]

It has been a while since I updated. I plan to blast the frame and paint on Wednesday. Here are some pictures of my progress. I still am waiting on a few bits to assemble the driver's side front suspension, and have not started on the passenger's side. I don't like the plug wires and will need to shorten them and add some clips to neaten them up

[spl310]

So, what did the forklift head gasket look like?

[Steve_69]

If you followed the other thread on this, both gaskets were the same and were fine. It was my bad. I was laying the gasket on the block and going what to heck?? Someone on the forum suggested that I look at the combustion chambers as they are not round. They are egg shaped to make room for the valves. Even though I had cleaned the chambers and lapped the valves, it never occurred to me. It was a DUH! moment. Either head gasket is fine and they were pretty much identical.

[Steve_69]

I successfully blasted the frame yesterday, but I had planned to have it primed by the end of the day. Ran into issues with needing 5 more bags of media and there was none close by. Also, it took over 2 hours to get media out of the frame. Had to stand it on end and blow air and beat with hammers. Plan to prime and paint today.

[Steve_69]

Primed and then painted

[Steve_69]

It has been a while since I have posted an update. I have finally gotten the front suspension completely done (2 months later than planned ) and now I am starting on the rear. I find it fascinating how timely other members' posts are, such as the leaf spring discussion. I removed mine this morning and will be dismantling them later today. Axles are out and rear brake components removed. Time to start a parts list and order!

[Egz]

You and I are at the same point on the frame, but your pace is so much faster. The work looks good! Jealous that you were able to blast and spray the frame; I ended up having to do it all by hand.

I just split my leafs, and getting ready for powder coat. I'm curious to see how bad the rear axles are to rebuild.

Nice job.

[Steve_69]

Thanks. I have everything pretty much disassembled, but looking at the axles and bearings, I may take them to a machine shop to have them pressed off, I would blast and paint the brake backing plates, and have the shop press the new bearings on. I ordered all of my needed parts this morning. I am a bit undecided on painting the springs as there are many opinions that the paint wears off and creates looseness between the springs that causes premature failures.

[Steve_69]

I have finished level 1 cleaning of the rear axle/pumpkin housing. I guessed it would take me a day. It has taken WEEKS! Man, what a mess. Still need to go over it again and wash it with mineral spirits a couple of times before prepping for paint. Hopefully, I will have all of the rear suspension components painted before going back to work in January. Assembly should go together easy (I know, famous last words.). These are the kind of things that make you start to question your sanity. Why would anyone go to all of this trouble, and how do you explain that to anyone when you don't even know the answer yourself? The nice thing about this forum is that I have other insane folks to share with.

[theunz]

You do these kind of things because it makes you proud of what you accomplished. Oh, and it looks real purtty too

[notoptoy]

You do these kind of things because it makes you proud of what you accomplished. Oh, and it looks real purtty too

Ding Ding!! Buy that man a beer!

[Steve_69]

No doubt, it does make you fee good Yes, give that man a beer!
Rear suspension is done. Next weekend, I hope to assemble the rear axles and brakes.