Trouble getting head gaskets to seal

[Scott H]

I’ve torqued and retorqued them several times. We’ve machined the heads down to make sure they were all level. Torquing using the updated Finch pattern.
We the pressurized the cylinders to check for leaks and can’t get them to seal. Torquing in 5lb increments from 10 to 30ft lbs. still getting bubbles when we spray soapy water on the head to barrel surface.

Any ideas?

[Brizo]

How far did you machine down the gasket step? Is there any chance the cylinders are contacting the outer surface of the head and not the head gaskets?

[Dennis66]

I almost hate to ask, but what about the tops of the cylinders? Dennis

[vairmech]

You can only machine the gasket area .030", anything more than that and you also need to surface the flat face for cylinder clearance.
How did you do the machining? If you set the head on the rocker gasket did you level the gasket surface first? If you didn't then the gasket surface is now off angle and possibly not even depth. When I machine Mine are all withing .001-.002" of being equal depth.
As you can see I check each hole with a depth mic. The numbers you see are to deep for the cylinders to seat all the way on the gasket.



Here is how much the rocker gasket can be off level from the gasket area!