If you increased the thread depth, what would it hit - water? It's been done using various sealers.
I'll have to check on that, I don't have pics of the block or notes on it, but in my head for some reason is 'can't drill more' but hey I'll check again.
What bugs me most is the 'why' of retorquing. Do the bolts back out? Stretch? Shift from metal expansion? It's certainly not stressed by the 8.4:1 compression. (Though I should take that back -- it's a very odd wedge shape so who knows, there could be small pockets of high pressure that work weak parts of the gasket area or something. Thinner gaskets will have less area less susceptible to such forces.)
I guess I'll switch to studs if I can get the head on and off in the car (what a PITA it will be though! I guess I'll use the hoist). I'll make two of them 1/4" or 1/2" taller to make 'on' easier.
Any idea what an optimum surface would be for maximum sealing?
Or what sealant to use, beyond old fashioned Permatex?
