Pyramid rings vs MLS - installation & applications?

[Nebraska_e28]

I'm curious if anyone can described the application & pros/cons of pyramid rings as a means of sealing the combustion chamber for a FI application? Are these used with in conjunction with an MLS or stock hg? How are they installed & is there any machining required? Do they seal better than just an mls?

[marc79euro645]

I don't know about pyramid rings, I assume your talking about oringing the head. I've seen write ups on it, but not done it myself. From what I understand it's used with a stock type head gasket. I don't think it would help much on mls as it wouldn't bite into the gasket very well.
marc

[slammin_e28]

Here's a nice install writeup.

http://www.e30tech.com/forum/showthread.php?t=105557

Use with stock HG. MLS gasket won't seal.

IMO, reading about it, I'd rather ring the block than MLS.

[Coldswede]

Here's a nice install writeup.

http://www.e30tech.com/forum/showthread.php?t=105557

Use with stock HG. MLS gasket won't seal.

IMO, reading about it, I'd rather ring the block than MLS.

Oh man that thread makes my head hurt! One guy is claiming a copper wire is gonna "Bite into the steel". WTF?
Another guys claims to have reused his stainless steel wire Twice! Why on Gods green earth would you reuse $1.00 worth of wire?
I am still curious as to how a figure 8 scheme seals under the gasket where it crosses from one cylinder to the next? I admit it looks cool as hell in the pictures though.

Then there is the 1000 HP m20 the one guy is building! "At the crank of course"

And those folks come over here and think we are nuts!

[slammin_e28]

Here's a nice install writeup.

http://www.e30tech.com/forum/showthread.php?t=105557

Use with stock HG. MLS gasket won't seal.

IMO, reading about it, I'd rather ring the block than MLS.

Oh man that thread makes my head hurt! One guy is claiming a copper wire is gonna "Bite into the steel". WTF?
Another guys claims to have reused his stainless steel wire Twice! Why on Gods green earth would you reuse $1.00 worth of wire?
I am still curious as to how a figure 8 scheme seals under the gasket where it crosses from one cylinder to the next? I admit it looks cool as hell in the pictures though.

Then there is the 1000 HP m20 the one guy is building! "At the crank of course"

And those folks come over here and think we are nuts!

Ya, figured it'd be a good, here's how it's done thread.

Also that 8 does look cool. I think it's only for when the bore spacing is too close.....but circular install is preferred.

[M. Holtmeier]

I'm running head gasket #2 on my copper orings. The protrusion was still in spec. I didn't read the other thread. With my stock HG, copper rings and ARPs, I'm seeing the same success as with an MLS. The head gasket failure was a tuning mishap, so I don't blame that on the HG and orings. I wouldn't do the figure eight thing though.