Another Group Buy: Head Gaskets and Head Bolts (Place your Order Here)

[kwilford]

I can't quite believe that I am posting this. The vendor in Britain that supplied the head bolts for the Group Buy can also source head gaskets. It turns out that he is a dealer for British Gasket Automotive (http://www.bgautomotive.co.uk/), who manufactures head bolts and gaskets and such. They also make lifters, valves and valve guides, but that might be a story for another day. If you can take the time, surf their site (http://www.bgautomotive.co.uk/html/catalogue.html and use the electronic catalogue by part type and then by vehicle) as they have a VERY extensive supply of parts, many of which will fit our cars. I think you can buy directly (and you are welcome to from my point of view) but small orders from the UK are typically very expensive from a shipping point of view. You can also buy directly from my supplier, but CossiBoyze has offered me better prices on a Group Buy than what I see listed on the BGA site. And to make a point, I am NOT in the Opel parts supply business, but I will do one more Group Buy in which I will (again!) make pretty much no money. Sad but true...

Anyway, the vendor (nothing secret here) is CossiBoyze, who has an eBay store at http://stores.ebay.co.uk/id=15735099...:SIB:StoreView. He has gotten back to me with prices for a Group Buy of head gaskets and head gasket sets (the top end gaskets, including what is shown in the first photo below (which is the HK7314 set, for '72 to '78 1897 cc Opel CIH). Based on the prices I have been given, and what I experienced for shipping costs in the first Head Bolt Group Buy, I can sell the following (including shipping by Canada Post Expedited Parcel, 7 to 10 business days to a U.S. address):

1) '65 to '72 1897 cc HK5319 Head Gasket Set (10 bolt w/ cork gasket, and all gaskets and seals shown in the later model gasket photo below) for:
$40 USD
$70 USD for two
This compares to the OGTS price of $65 (plus shipping, usually about $15) so you can save a few $. I only can get five (5) sets at that price, so first come first served. I can also get JUST the head gasket, but the price wasn't very attractive, so you should definitely get that from Gil

2) '72 to '78 1897 cc HK7314 Head Gasket Set (12 bolt and all gaskets and seals shown in the photo below) for:
$40 USD for one
$70 USD for two
Same price comparison to OGTS. Numbers are unlimited though, except that this is the last Group Buy for this Opel'er.

3) '72 to '78 1897 cc GK6388 Head Gasket ONLY (12 bolt gasket ONLY) for:
$25 USD
$40 USD for two
OGTS charges $31 plus shipping, so this is a bit better price. Numbers are unlimited.

4) '83 to '88 1979 cc (the 2.0/2.2/2.4 engine!) GK6355 Head Gasket ONLY (12 bolt gasket ONLY) for:
$30 USD
$50 USD for two
OGTS charges $33.00 plus shipping for their aftermarket gasket, so this is a bit better price. And they have been back-ordered in the past, although that may have changed recently. Numbers are unlimited.

5) Head bolts will again be available, on the same basis as the last order (see http://opelgt.com/forums/showthread....4&page=1&pp=40 for details):
i) One set of ten bolts for $35 USD
ii) two sets of ten bolts for $60 USD
No other number options are being given this time, as this is complicated enough!

To repeat myself, shipping is included to the USA in the price (Canadians, especially Calgarians, will save on that cost, TBA).

Please use the Poll above to place your order. The Poll will be open for two weeks, so order ASAP.
Payments are preferred in $USD, and by PayPal. My e-mail is my PayPal account:
kwilford"at"shaw.ca (of course you replace the "at" with a @)
Payments are also accepted by International Money Order, NOT by the standard US Post Money order. BidPay Money orders also work, I believe (Make sure that they are in $USD and negotiable in Canada). They can be mailed to:
Keith Wilford
19 Edenwold Crescent N.W.
Calgary, Alberta, Canada
T3A 3T9

Any questions, please ask.
Thanks!

[kwilford]

PLEASE, do NOT make payments until AFTER the orders have been confirmed, in about two weeks. THANKS!

[Mach1Tom]

Originally Posted by kwilford 4) '83 to '88 1979 cc (the 2.0/2.2/2.4 engine!) GK6355 Head Gasket ONLY (12 bolt gasket ONLY) for: $35 USD $60 USD for two OGTS charges $58.80 plus shipping, so this is quite a bit better price. And they have been back-ordered in the past, although that may have changed recently. Numbers are unlimited.

Keith,

The factory Opel 2.0 head gasket That OGTS sells is $58.80 + shipping

The aftermarket one they sell, which may even be the ones you can get here, are $33.00 + shipping. I have bought many of these from OGTS & they are from different manufacturers. I guess it depends on who has them & the best price he can get them for. So it still would be a savings getting them here, especially if you buy 2.

~ Tom C

[nobody]

PLEASE, do NOT make payments until AFTER the orders have been confirmed, in about two weeks. THANKS!
12 Hours Ago 11:02 PM


I resemble that remark. I know prices and availability and dive on stuff that I'll need. Full gasket sets maybe? hit me with 4 if the price is good.

[kwilford]

Originally Posted by Mach1Tom Keith, The factory Opel 2.0 head gasket That OGTS sells is $58.80 + shipping The aftermarket one they sell, which may even be the ones you can get here, are $33.00 + shipping. I have bought many of these from OGTS & they are from different manufacturers. I guess it depends on who has them & the best price he can get them for. So it still would be a savings getting them here, especially if you buy 2. ~ Tom C

Tom, thanks for that information. I think that these gaskets are a "fair" deal, rather than a "great" deal, mainly due to the cost of shipping. To be honest, the starting price from the UK, is QUITE a bit less than what it costs to land them and then re-ship them again. I am hoping that the final shipping cost will be less than what I have estimated, especially if I can get some bolt orders as well. If so, then the cost will drop commensurately. Hence the reason to hold off on payments until the dust settles, as this is a high'ish estimate for now.

[kwilford]

I am waiting on the British vendor to confirm final bolt and gasket costs and shipping costs, but if he can do it for what he last told me, I can probably trim the prices a bit. He said he would get back to me in a few days, and I will post the new prices as soon as I hear from him.

I think the price will be about $5 less for at least some of the items: $35 for each bolt set, $20 for the 1.9 12 bolt head gasket and $35 for the 2.0 head gasket (those are both still the same), and $50 for the early and late 1.9 head gasket sets. Multiple orders will save $10 for the second item (reduced shipping cost from me to you).

I have to go out of town all next week, so I will leave the order poll open until October 19. Stay tuned....

[kwilford]

The final shipping quote FINALLY came in from the British supplier, and he was able to lower it a bit. So, I can lower the prices a bit also. Sorry for this taking so long, but both the British supplier and I have been travelling as of late, so communication has been problematic. ANYWAY, the final prices are shown above, both in the poll and in the original post (which I edited). If you want to add your order, please do it right away. If you want to cancel your order, please contact me ASAP. I want to get the order on its way, a few days at most, so I will close the order poll on October 26 (Wednesday).

Here is what I believe I have for orders by member and his cost:

Bill Hoffmann:
2 sets of head bolts, 2 '72 to '78 1897 cc HK7314 Head Gasket Sets, 2 '83 to '88 1979 cc GK6355 Head Gaskets
Total Cost w/ shipping discount: $180 USD

neuropel:
2 '83 to '88 1979 cc GK6355 Head Gaskets
Total Cost incl shipping: $50 USD

opelphile
1 '83 to '88 1979 cc GK6355 Head Gasket
Total Cost incl shipping: $30 USD

nobody
2 '83 to '88 1979 cc GK6355 Head Gaskets
Total Cost w/ shipping discount: $50 USD

guyopel
1 set of head bolts
Total Cost incl shipping: $35 USD

mr. bill
2 sets of head bolts
Total Cost w/ shipping discount: $60 USD

opelwasp
1 set of head bolts
Total Cost incl shipping: $35 USD

Please let me know if I don't have the order correct, and again, please let me know ASAP if you have added to the order, or want to cancel your order.

It will take about two weeks from Wednesday for me to receive the order from the UK, and another ten days to get to you. Payments may now be made as described above:

Payments are preferred in $USD, and by PayPal. My e-mail is my PayPal account:
kwilford"at"shaw.ca (of course you replace the "at" with a @)
Payments are also accepted by International Money Order, NOT by the standard US Post Money order. BidPay Money orders also work, I believe (Make sure that they are in $USD and negotiable in Canada). They can be mailed to:
Keith Wilford
19 Edenwold Crescent N.W.
Calgary, Alberta, Canada
T3A 3T9

Please include your OGT.com user name, your real name and address (including zip code), and your home phone number with area code (needed by US Customs for incoming shipments.

Thanks!

[neuropel]

Keith,
I'd like to up my order to two head gaskets (same model)...so I'm in for $50 now. When do we paypal you?

Todd

[kwilford]

Originally Posted by neuropel Keith, I'd like to up my order to two head gaskets (same model)...so I'm in for $50 now. When do we paypal you? Todd

Your order is revised. You can pay me anytime, but preferably with a week or so, because that is when I'll finalize the order. So it would be nice to have money in my PayPal account to make the payment. In typical fashion, "nobody" (aka Dave) has already paid for his head gaskets. Thanks!

[nobody]

I paid 60 for the one in the car...50 for 2 was a no brainer, especially with another upcoming motor to play with.

[yellaopelgt]

Keith,
I'm in for a head gasket set. will send int. M.O. (sorry no PayPal or Bid-pay account)
Hope this will not put a delay on things(snail-mail) as I wouldnt want to slow things down?????Let me know and I can send out in tomorrows mail.
Thanks,
Joe

[kwilford]

Originally Posted by yellaopelgt Keith, I'm in for a head gasket set. will send int. M.O. (sorry no PayPal or Bid-pay account) Hope this will not put a delay on things(snail-mail) as I wouldn't want to slow things down?????Let me know and I can send out in tomorrows mail. Thanks, Joe

Thanks for the order. A Money Order is fine so long as it is the "International" type, which is available from USPS.

[opelphile]

I just sent my paypal payment for (1) GK6355, thanks for providing these.

[asdasc]

Maybe this is a dumb question, but why would you need new head bolts? Should they be relaced during a re-build? I have done 2 previous engine re-builds and never replaced them. Did I do bad? The reason I ask is that I am planning to build another Opel 1.9 this winter and want to get it right!

[kwilford]

Originally Posted by asdasc Maybe this is a dumb question, but why would you need new head bolts? Should they be replaced during a re-build? I have done 2 previous engine re-builds and never replaced them. Did I do bad? The reason I ask is that I am planning to build another Opel 1.9 this winter and want to get it right!

There are a couple of threads to read:
http://www.opelgt.com/forums/part-substitutes/6966-group-buy-new-cih-head-bolts-thread-closed-go-new-thread.html
http://www.opelgt.com/forums/part-substitutes/7164-group-buy-new-cih-head-bolts-back-order-closed.html
The essence of what I have garnered from the master Opel engine builders on this site is that the OEM head bolts are of a high grade (grade 12.9) and strength, and can be re-used a number of times, so long as they haven't been over-torqued. Or unless the bolt heads get stripped, which is quite common. So for virtually every "normal" engine, re-using the old head bolts is fine. But if your head bolts are suspect or the triple-square heads are stripped, these are a pretty good substitute (and so far, the ONLY substitute I have found).

HTH

[Lindsay]

I will purchase One set of ten head bolts for $35 USD. I have PayPal. THANKS!

Lindsay

[asdasc]

Thanks for the help Keith! That makes good sense....

Steve

[kwilford]

OK, the order desk is CLOSED! Here is what I think folks ordered, and what their cost is. If I have made a mistake, please let me know ASAP.

Bill Hoffmann:
2 sets of head bolts, 2 '72 to '78 1897 cc HK7314 Head Gasket Sets, 2 '83 to '88 1979 cc GK6355 Head Gaskets
Total Cost w/ shipping discount: $180 USD (PAID!)

neuropel:
2 '83 to '88 1979 cc GK6355 Head Gaskets
Total Cost incl shipping: $50 USD (PAID!)

opelphile
1 '83 to '88 1979 cc GK6355 Head Gasket
Total Cost incl shipping: $30 USD (PAID!)

nobody
2 '83 to '88 1979 cc GK6355 Head Gaskets
Total Cost w/ shipping discount: $50 USD (PAID!)

guyopel
1 set of head bolts
Total Cost incl shipping: $35 USD (PAID!)

mr. bill
2 sets of head bolts
Total Cost w/ shipping discount: $60 USD (PAID!)

opelwasp
0 set of head bolts (order cancelled)
Total Cost incl shipping: $0 USD

yellaopelgt
1 '65 to '72 1897 cc HK5319 Head Gasket Set
Total Cost w/ shipping discount: $40 USD (PAID!)

Mach1Tom
2 '83 to '88 1979 cc GK6355 Head Gaskets
Total Cost w/ shipping discount: $50 USD (PAID!)

LUdovich
1 set of head bolts
Total Cost incl shipping: $35 USD (PAID!)

ConreroGT
1 set of head bolts, and 2 '83 to '88 1979 cc GK6355 Head Gaskets
Total Cost w/ shipping discount: $85 USD (PAID!)

svopel
2 '83 to '88 1979 cc GK6355 Head Gaskets
Total Cost w/ shipping discount: $50 USD (PAID!)

Please let me know if I don't have your order correct, and again, please let me know ASAP if you want to cancel your order.

I am placing the order tonight. I will be ordering a few extra items (that I think will prove to be worth the small extra shipping cost) so if you want another head gasket or bolt set, just ask. It will take about two weeks to receive the order from the UK, and another ten days to get to you.

Please make your payment now

Payments are preferred in $USD, and by PayPal. My e-mail is my PayPal account:
kwilford"at"shaw.ca (of course you replace the "at" with a @)
Payments are also accepted by International Money Order, NOT by the standard US Post Money order. BidPay Money orders also work, I believe (Make sure that they are in $USD and negotiable in Canada). They can be mailed to:

Keith Wilford
19 Edenwold Crescent N.W.
Calgary, Alberta, Canada
T3A 3T9

Please include your OGT.com user name, your real name and address (including zip code), and your home phone number with area code (needed by US Customs for incoming shipments).

Thanks for the order, and thanks to those who have already paid!

[nobody]

That's interesting reading actually, Most paid orders are for 2.0 head gaskets. Good deal and lets build bigger motors. Can we get a head count on 2.2 cranks for the next group buy? I'm kidding, Thanks again Keith

PS I'm good for two

[yellaopelgt]

Keith,
I sent out an Int. M.O. the other day so you should have it soon! Thanks again for doing this Not sure If I wrote down my email or Opelgt.com handle tho.
But the important stuff is all there on the paper!
Thanks,
Joe Zablocki
AKA yellaopelgt

[kwilford]

They arrived Saturday, which only took a week across the pond. Everything travelled fine, and I got a pleasant surprise. The head sets include most of what you would expect, and also a cam button, which I have never seen in a Head Gasket set before. It seems that the button supplied in the sets are the same length for both the 10 and 12 bolts heads. This means that folks with the 10 bolt head will need to have the button turned down, but Gil's cam buttons are also the longer ones.

I plan on getting the orders assembled and shipped out next weekend. Everybody has paid, so we have another successful Group Buy!

I ordered a few extras, so if you are still wanting in on either head gaskets, head gasket sets, or head bolts, let me know. I have, as of this writing:

1) head bolts: three sets of ten
2) '65 to '72 1897 cc GK6352 Head Gasket: Four
3) '65 to '72 1897 cc HK5319 Head Gasket Set: SOLD OUT!
4) '72 to '78 1897 cc HK7314 Head Gasket Set: One set
5) '72 to '78 1897 cc GK6388 Head Gasket: Four
6) '83 to '88 1979 cc GK6355 Head Gasket: SOLD OUT!

TIA

[kwilford]

Well, it's a small problem. Really just an annoyance. I was packaging up the orders tonight, and making sets of ten and twenty head bolts from the 14-bolt kits that I received. Then I noticed that, although these latest bolt kits are packaged EXACTLY the same as the earlier sets, the longer bolts in each kit are Allen-head (10mm), while the shorter bolts are the same T-55 Torx head as the first order.

SHEESH! How the HECK did the British ever get Spitfires to fly? I mean, it was bad enough to invent and actually use weird stuff like Whitworth threads, and face it, Lucas is the Prince of Darkness. But WHY would a modern company like British Gasket package a set of head bolts that require you to use a Torx socket to tighten five of the head bolts, and then an Allen socket to tighten the other five. This is DEFINITELY a country that doesn't deserve to have its own automotive industry. Oh wait, they DON'T!!

I have to say I am sorry that this has happened, and I hope it won't be too big a hassle. If they weren't from some strange land across the pond, I would march those bolts right back to the vendor. I mean, HECK, why couldn't they make ALL the bolts Allen-head? If you REALLY want to cancel your bolt order, please let me know and I will refund your money. Otherwise, they will be on their way shortly.

OK, venting is done, bolts are packaged up, and the head gasket sets are matched to the correct owner. Tomorrow I will cut up some hardboard to package with the head gaskets to keep them from being bent in the mail, and (if the Post Office isn't closed on Remembrance Day), I'll get them posted. Anyone want to buy the extra gaskets and head sets I ordered?

Hey, do you Americans have a Holiday tomorrow? baz, you folks do Remembrance day in Britain, don't you?

[baz]

ours is the sunday nearest to the 11th so no holiday just a 1 min silence at 11 am next sunday

and whats wrong with whitworth bolts ???? they build the largest empire ever seen, head twice the size of the shank so easy to get a spanner for it
now british standard fine and course are the lady dogs as you have to take a 1/16th or an 1/8th off the head size just so they could save some steel to make more guns in the episodes we remember tomorrow/sunday
as for "Lucas is the Prince of Darkness" what can i say , into every life a little rain must fall , the rest are mad enough to buy cars that have lucas bits on them (just keep buying the ome smoke when it comes on e-bay so you can top it up and keep your mg running )(for those who dont know all lucas electrical stuff works fine till you let the smoke out then you have to fit new or top up the smoke to get them to work again see
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eB...tem=4554570060 )
as for that glorious bit of engineering the vickers supermarine spitfire mk1-35 say nothing about the plane that gave the western world the freedom to carry on screwing up the world the way it is today

[namba209]

As a matter of fact Keith, tomorrow is Veteran's Day, a National holiday. To honor the veterans of all the wars we have participated in.

[kwilford]

Well, to commemorate Remembrance Day, I remembered to get the parts packed up and sent off. All twelve orders went out, so you should see them in six to ten days. Please let me know by PM or e-mail when you get them.

As a reminder, I still have a few head gaskets and head sets, and a couple sets of bolts left over. I will try to make an ad up here later, and if they don't sell in a week or two, I'll eBay them. I might have bought a few too many, and right now I am a couple hundred $ in the red until I sell the surplus. THAT will teach me to NOT be in the Opel Parts business!

Thanks!