Head gaskets

[IEATVETS]

As some of you know, I am having a Paxton blower installed on my Gen1 this spring. The place that is installing it ran my vin# to see if my head gaskets had been replaced, they have not. He said that I should have them replaced before installing the blower. I do have a warranty on my car BUT I have talked to two dealers and both of them said that they will not replace them if there is no sign of leakage. We all know how notorious the Gen1 Vipers are for leaky head gaskets but how can I get them replaced under warranty? If I can't find a dealer that is reasonably close to me that will replace them, how hard is it to replace the gaskets? The reason I ask this is one of my friends is a mechanic at a Chevy dealer and has offered to do this for me.
Should I even worry about it since they are not leaking or have them replaced? I have put a lot of Nitrous through my motor with no signs of leaking antifreeze and just wonder if I am worrying about nothing! Thanx for the help guys.

 

[Bill Pemberton Woodhouse]

They often show little signs of leaking , as they start just seeping. Give me a call and we can discuss the matter, as we have taken cars in trade that supposedly were not leaking, only to find out they had already started - the tell tale signs are not a big puddle on the floor in most cases.

Bill Pemberton
1-800-889-1893

 

[J DAWG]

the chebby guy can easily change them for you. While you are at it you can get a set from Cometic that are thicker and it will lower your compression and allow for more boost.

I havent followed the whole GenI head gasket thing but if you are thinking it may be a problem them go ahead and take care of it. No big deal to change them and this will allow you to inspect other areas of the motor that potentially could need attention.

Guess it can be argued either way.

 

[V10SpeedLuvr]

Does Cometic make a Gen 1 head gasket set? I talked to the Wizard about it a few months ago and he knew they had gotten a factory set to reproduce, but wasnt sure if they ever did. And I couldnt find any information about a Gen 1 set from them online.

 

[J DAWG]

Chad

Dunno for sure. I ordered a thinner set my GenII a few months ago and put them on. Heres the website >>> http://www.cometic.com/

If you call let me know what you find out.


John

 

[V10SpeedLuvr]

I just called and they closed 30 mins ago. I'll call tomorrow and post what I find out

 

[IEATVETS]

Please post when you find out. If I can't find a dealer to fix them, I will have to buy a set and have a friend fix them for me. I will then call DC and tell them to shove my warranty up their ass! These things WILL leak it is just a matter of time and they know it.

 

[J DAWG]

also....doesnt someone on eBay sell the GenI gaskets quite often.

 

[Cal Cobra]

The head gaskets from www.cometic.com look great, I too hope they make Gen1 gaskets.

I've always wondered why Felpro doesn't make Viper head gaskets, as they certainly make them for much more obscure engines.

Let us know what you find out Chad.

Cal

 

[V10SpeedLuvr]

I just got off the phone with cometic, and they do NOT making a head gasket set for Gen 1's. I told the guy they could make some real money if they did, and he said he had been told that before, but "its only so much we can do". He did know about the gasket problems with Gen 1's and said the $900 from Dodge was a ripoff. When I told him the price was up to almost $1100 for a set, he about fell out his chair. He then said "well, its an idea we're definitly going to have to revisit, but right now, we have no plans for them". He also said that there was no other aftermarket makers either. Dodge is the only place you can get them

 

[J DAWG]

$1100 for head gaskets??? UR kidding right?

I have never paid over $300 for the complete upper gasket set for my GENII. Head gasket, intake and thermostat.

 

[V10SpeedLuvr]

Oops, I meant the whole upper gasket set, but I do know the last price increase a couple months ago pushed the price over $1,000.

 

[J DAWG]

They must have started price gouging after Katrina. THAT IS ABSOLUTELY RIDICULOUS AND SCANDALOUS AS WELL. No way should a manufacturer charge a grand for some head gaskets.


I pray I am missing somethiing here.

 

[V10SpeedLuvr]

I just did a search and here's the original post about it from Chuck himself... $1010!

 

[IEATVETS]

At that price, I will find a dealer to do them under warranty. What a crock!

 

[viperrt96]

I have a complete set for $850 if anyone is interested? Includes everything you need to do the heads. Heads,Intake,valve covers,Thermostat housing (all gaskets) and Exhaust.

It is the new (Dodge) MLS kind (Multi layered steel)

That's what I got them for. Before the price hike. I won't sell them for any less.

Thanks

 

[95Viper]

I think a problem you will find is that if another company makes the head gaskets only, you'll still need to buy all the other gaskets separately from Dodge and I bet that is expensive as heck.

 

[viperrt96]

I think it is safe to say that no one is going to make one for the GEN I at this point.

I talked to Bob Corman (spelling?) the owner of Cometic at a PRI show here in Indy in December of 04. He told me then that Dan Craigan (DC Performance) had already provided him with a gasket and all of the things he needed to make them. I told him then that I could do the same. Whatever you need to make these I said. Bob even had faxed me a Gasket request form a few weeks later. I replied and they said they had the sample gasket but it was unlikely they would be able to do it. Not a market for these they said. WOW! well here it is almost a year and half later - No Gen I gaskets. At least from Cometic

Now don't fret because if you are a die hard racer and want copper head gaskets (choices for thickness of course) for your Gen I they are available from SCE Gasket. I think if I remember right when I called them they said Levin had them make them for him. So you see someone can make them. The problem with these are that they are copper and the sealing properties are well....Not for everyday driving. They will eventually leak and unless you O-ring the heads and gasket(receiver) you can use those. Here is there link. They have them for Gen II also.

http://www.scegaskets.com

If someone wants just the head gaskets from Dodge the part number is
5245157-BA (One)requires 2 of course. They list for $409.00 each. last summer my parts guy told me that they were on back order. I think that's what prompted the price hike from $922 to $1010. I can sell a set of head gaskets only for $650 (one pair left)shipped! If you want the whole package deal I can sell for $850 (one set left)shipped. The valve cover gaskets alone list for $74.60 each. Don't you love it!

 

[joe117]

"I do have a warranty on my car BUT I have talked to two dealers and both of them said that they will not replace them if there is no sign of leakage. We all know how notorious the Gen1 Vipers are for leaky head gaskets but how can I get them replaced under warranty?"

I don't understand why you think that your warranty should cover gaskets that have not failed.

Yes, we know that the gaskets are prone to failure,
but they have not yet failed.

A warranty doesn't cover things that haven't broken.

 

[dansauto]

Unless they do a leak down test they cant say for sure that they are not leaking. Just because you dont have coolant outside, does not mean they are leaking in the combustion chamber. Tell the dealer you are using coolant and want each cylinder checked before they decline this under warrenty. The only other headgasket you can buy aftermarket it a copper one. But they will have to oring the block and head for a seal.

 

[95Viper]

Joe117, This is such a ripoff that you might want to consider finding some way to make those leak. Otherwise, have fun forking out 1K as soon as your warranty expires.