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348 Head Gaskets

Discussion in 'Technical Q&A' started by Aris64, Feb 3, 2025.

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  1. Aris64

    Aris64 Karting

    Feb 26, 2024
    79
    Greece
    Full Name:
    Aris Arvanitakis
    #1 Aris64, Feb 3, 2025
    Old but always popular topic I think... I used a set of head gaskets made by Nava in Italy, visually almost identical with Elring and with same thickness, metal reinforcements etc. Torqueing exactly as per manual, no leakage when filled with coolant, however at 0.5 bar pressure test some drops appeared around... A tiny bit more torqueing (5 deg. maybe) and the drops appeared very slowly only to the corners. I don't want to stress more the bolds since I am already around 110 Nm where somewhere in the WSM I found that 120 Nm is the maximum allowed. So I decided to leave it as it is. In the mean time it seems that the gaskets being under head pressure could eventually seal better. In WSM I found also that mentions the following" Slight oozing around the outside of the gasket is permitted" in a pressure test of 0.8-1.0 bar. So, going by the book it seems that everything is normal however I feel uncomfortable with "oozing". I think that over time and use with thermal cycling will improve but is there any relative experience?
     
  2. JohnMH

    JohnMH Formula 3

    Jan 28, 2004
    1,835
    Bologna
    #2 JohnMH, Feb 3, 2025
    Getting the engine up to temperature, letting it cool completely and retorquing it might help.

    I used Murray Glegg’s head gaskets on my Testarossa without issue. His instructions suggest starting the car with no coolant (dry) and shutting it off when the heads get to 50c. Then let it cool completely. Then fill it with water (only) and run it to 80c. Let it cool and then refill with the coolant of your choice.

    I actually borrowed a paint booth to generate a heat cycle with the engine out of the car before retorquing the nuts.
     
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  3. Aris64

    Aris64 Karting

    Feb 26, 2024
    79
    Greece
    Full Name:
    Aris Arvanitakis
    #3 Aris64, Feb 3, 2025
    I would never operated the engine without coolant to protect the water pump seal. However I agree that thermal cycling is meaningful to have the gaskets settled
     
  4. Rifledriver

    Rifledriver Three Time F1 World Champ

    Apr 29, 2004
    37,274
    Cowboy Capitol of the World
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    Brian Crall
    #4 Rifledriver, Feb 3, 2025
    I know Murray Glegg and use his headgaskets with 100% success. I personally would never install an engine without a perfect seal at 100 % rated pressure and normal head torquing being used.
     
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  5. Rifledriver

    Rifledriver Three Time F1 World Champ

    Apr 29, 2004
    37,274
    Cowboy Capitol of the World
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    Brian Crall
    #5 Rifledriver, Feb 4, 2025
    Further, I pressurize them on Friday and do my final inspection Monday. They have to hold without a drop over the weekend.
     
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  6. Porrari Guy

    Porrari Guy Rookie

    Nov 28, 2020
    8
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    Dustin Aydt
    #6 Porrari Guy, Aug 26, 2025
    Hello all,

    Responding as this has just become a relevant post for me. I just pressure tested (20 psi) the 348 engine I am rebuilding and it is leaking along the top edge of both cylinder heads. I used new elring gaskets as I didn't think this was still a problem; bummer of a lesson to learn. I just emailed Murray to see about getting a pair of his gaskets.

    What pressure are you testing at? Workshop manual shows 8-10 atmospheres?! Should this be .8-1.0 atmospheres or should the gasket hold above 100 psi?

    Thanks,
    Dustin
     
  7. Rifledriver

    Rifledriver Three Time F1 World Champ

    Apr 29, 2004
    37,274
    Cowboy Capitol of the World
    Full Name:
    Brian Crall
    #7 Rifledriver, Aug 26, 2025
    Do you really want to pressurize a Ferrari water pump higher than rated pressure?


    I sure dont.
     
  8. Porrari Guy

    Porrari Guy Rookie

    Nov 28, 2020
    8
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    Dustin Aydt
    #8 Porrari Guy, Aug 26, 2025
    Hello Brian,

    No, I do not want to create problems in any way. Thats why I chose to pressurize to 20 psi (it was more like 18 psi) and why I question the workshop manual stating 8–10 atmospheres.

    I have 20+ years with Porsche but Ferrari is a new world to me and I very much rely on the information presented by all of you long-time Ferrari guys that post on here.

    Safe to assume the print in the manual should be .8-1.0 atmospheres. I was just curious what pressure you are testing at; I too want everything to be perfect when I’m done with this one.

    Thanks,
    Dustin
     
  9. Aris64

    Aris64 Karting

    Feb 26, 2024
    79
    Greece
    Full Name:
    Aris Arvanitakis
    #9 Aris64, Aug 27, 2025 at 1:48 AM
    You are correct, the manual is mistyped. 1 bar is also the relief pressure of cooling tanks cup. As I said on my initial post ozing is normal. After several hours of use I see dried signs of ozing but essentially never had any real leakage. I think that with the use has sealed properly but in my case I am almost sure that I have tightened the bolts more than the typical spec.
     
  10. 360modena2003

    360modena2003 Formula 3

    Jul 11, 2009
    2,454
    #10 360modena2003, Aug 27, 2025 at 4:57 AM
    I order mine from Superformance and never had an issue.
     
  11. windsock

    windsock Formula 3
    Rossa Subscribed

    Nov 29, 2006
    1,160
    #11 windsock, Aug 28, 2025 at 6:37 PM
    I have seen several sets of head gaskets on the ferrari's especially the boxer engines seep. We now also run them without coolant to 120 on the heads which is only several minutes and then fill them with coolant and have never had an issue since.
     

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