Mk1 Golf 1.5 Diesel Metal Head Gasket and Studs

[clarkbanks]

I've had a couple of head gaskets go in recent years so I would going to upgrade to ARP #204-4701 head studs and was wondering if there is a metal head gasket available for the Mk1s? I read in another forum you can use the metal G60 gasket but I have no confirmation of that.

Does anyone know if these are available and if so where?

Cheers

[gldgti]

You can adapt the metal headgasket for the 1.9 engine for the 1.5 if you like, but I dont think its really necessary.

The commonest issue with the 1.5's is the headgasket leakage but I would generally say that the reason behind this is not the gasket itself, but the bolts used, not torquing them up correctly and in the right sequence, and the head being slightly warped.

The right engine builder can skim the head for you, but it has to be done quite slowly as the prechambers need to be in the head and have the same amount skimmed off them. They are made of a high nickel alloy which is a lot harder than the aluminium (but still very able to be machined). Also, you can really only take off the tiniest amount.

But - you are definitely on the right track with the head studs. Very likely that will fix your problem.

The main issue with the gasket compatibility is whether the donor gasket is from a hydraulic lifter engine or solid. IIRC the G60's used hydraulic lifters, whereas the 1.5 and early 1.6D's use solid.

[clarkbanks]

Thanks, I just go with the standard gasket and head studs.