Putting head back together need help
I know its long, but there is alot of stuff wrong with my car.
I have heard that you need to replace the studs/head bolts when putting the head back together with a new gasket. Well needless to say, I have taken the head apart 3 times in the past 3 weeks and I STILL have problems:madfawk: I need your help baaad! I put a copper head gasket on my gsr from summit racing. The first time, I put it on without sealent. Needless to say it leaked oil. Second time, I put the head back on with sealent. Still leaks! Took it apart again to check for uneven sealent globs and such and put the head on again. STILL LEAKING!!! Now I have the head apart again and don't know what to do. It's brand new and just spent however much they cost, I think 80-100 bucks. (Can't remember because i keep buying parts for the freakin junk). Anyways, I am considering getting an oem gasket since the original was never replaced and didn't leak until recently. Should I get new studs too? If so, what are some good kinds to get, if any, and where can I find them for a decent price. Also, another issue is overheating. When I installed a dual aluminum radiator the first time, I had big universal hoses on. Well, of course they leaked and caused to overheat. Well I also found out that the new radiator had a leak in it too. I already installed the 2nd dual aluminum radiator which doesn't leak now and I have fitted hoses on the motor now too. (This was like awhile ago while the head was leaking still). Anyways, I drive it around town for the night and my temp gauge reads normal. I was happy. I dropped my friend off at his house and I checked my gauge again. Normal. Just out of nowhere, on my way home, the temp needle is at the top. I pull over and shut the car off. I open the hood and hear nothing. Felt the radiator cap and it was pretty warm. Stupid, but I opened it up and of course a little liquid spewed out along with alot of steam. I put water in it and made it back to my house. I send my dad to get me a thermostat while im working on the head and we install the new thermostat like the original. I drive it in town to see if it overheats and half way it does. Check the engine and there is antifreeze spewing from the seal of the thermostat housing. Weird. Tow it back to my house and open it up. The thermostat is sealed properly in the housing and I put sealent on the two adjoing pieces. Drive it in town and seems fine but overheats again. Check engine no liquid this time. WTF! I know the radiator is working, but now my radiator fan does not kick on for crap. Hot wire the fan to make sure it still works and it does. Doesn't click on while driving so sounds like maybe the thermo switch. I don't know for sure and am working on a budget so I don't want to spend money for a part I didn't need. I also have the suspision that maybe the thermostat my dad was given was maybe for a nonvtec 1.8 or something along those lines and its temp is set higher. Either way I don't know and need help. I don't see how its the thermo stat though because the car overheated so it must have opened at some point. I also felt the top radiator hose for warmth and it was pretty hot. I am assuming that it means that the thermo is opening and letting warm water in the radiator. I need help because I need my car for work and school. If you could help me and maybe ask some people you know I would much appreciate the help as its hurting my lifestye and will eventually cause me my job. Thanks again for your effort and kindness.
Undrgrndhaqer