Hello from New Hampshire. I'm replacing the head gasket on my 1994 E420.I have the cd rom.I purchased the gasket set from the local M-B dealer p/n 119 016 35 20,119 016 36 20,119 010 50 21,119 010 52 21.The cylinder heads are off,cleaned up and ready to go.I have three questions to open with tonight.The old exhaust manifold gasket is a combination of three separate pieces of gasket material (Goetze p/n 12901-031)which are bonded to a thin strip of aluminum p/n 119 142 05 60.The new gasket is two thin pieces of aluminum bonded together with no gasket material p/n A 119 142 13 80 RNZ. I take it this is an upgraded part-am I correct? The tightening procedure for the cylinder head bolts calls for three stages in the correct sequence of 55 Nm + 90 degrees of rotation + 90 degrees of rotation.I'm curious why there are no exact torque figures for the second and third steps. Finally:what,when and where should I be using gasket compounds,loctite,etc. during the assembly process? Any other tips would be greatly appreciated. Thanks for the help.

VERY GOOD QUESTIONS

The gaskets are updated or a different manufacturer. They will work fine.

The bolts are "stretch bolts". They have a starting torque spec that is just before the stretch. As you torque them with angular rotation, they will stretch and give a permanent torque setting. The best way is to torque then paint a small dot on the 12 o'clock position. Then you will know which ones you have done 90 and then 90 again.

I don't use any sealer on the head bolts that are not in an oil galley. I just clean the head and the threads then dip in oil.

No sealer is required on ANY of the gaskets.

Another thought on the "stretch" bolts. When you tighten them up that last 1/4 turn you can actually feel the bolt stretching if you pay attention to the feeling. Stevebfl posted on another forum the details of what is going on from a metallurgical standpoint.
Jim
'95 E320
'97 Honda CRV

markE420,
Mark may I ask why the heads needed to come off?

How did the job go?

Have you had any problems since?

Did you have the heads ported and polished?

I am very interested in what happed to your car.

Thanks
Subman