‘O’ Ringing Blocks.

Ford Escort/Sierra Cosworth and Escort CVH Engines etc.

This process virtually eliminates head gasket failure. Any high performance engine benefits from this procedure. Particularly Turbo engines

On high boost turbo engines there can be a problem with head gaskets. With boost pressures of 1 bar [14lbs] and above the extremely high amount of cylinder filling and therefore the high effective compression ratio is trying to force the head and block apart. This process generally results in blown head gaskets

There are a number of ways this problem can be overcome; stronger head bolts for one, but by far the most effective is fitting the block with copper rings.

The process is as follows;

The top of the block is machined to accept 1mm copper wire. A groove 0.5mm deep is cut into the block and the copper wire tapped in, leaving 0.5mm of wire protruding above the block face. The groove is machined around the diameter of the cylinders exactly at the point where the flame trap of the head gasket fits the block.

Therefore when the cylinder head is torqued up the copper wire is forced into the flame trap part of the head gasket. Baring in mine the 0.5mm protrusion of the copper wires this creates an extremely effective seal. The groove can even be cut into the block with the pistons installed. If the pistons have been removed the wire must be fitted after the pistons have been re-installed because the wire tends to foul the ring clamp.

This process virtually eliminates head gasket failure, we have had engines producing over 300hp without head gasket problems.

The price to machine the groove is £20.00 per cylinder plus Vat.[Including the wire]

Subject to availability we can loan the tool that cuts the groove subject to the following conditions.

Hire cost of £40 per day, plus a deposit of £300 plus Vat payable in advance.

Alternatively ask about our cometic head gasket