Corvette Kiwi

I will soon be freshening up the top end on a 1969 Corvette L-71 with the numbers-matching 427/435 big-block topped with 3x2 carbs. When the heads are off I will have a good look at the pistons to try to determine if they are original. However, I don't know what the factory 11:1 piston tops look like.

1. Can someone post a photo (or guide me to a website) that shows what what the crowns of stock (not replacement or aftermarket) 1969 427/435 pistons look like.

2. Were 1968 and earlier 427/435 pistons the same as 1969?

3. In an unrelated question, what was the thickness of the stock (not replacement or aftermarket) head gasket for a 1969 427/435 big-block?

Ironcross

They have about 1/8 inch dome with the 2 valve reliefs....all solid lifter 427`s pistons except the L-88`s are the same.....1966-1969,...as I recall the head gasket is a steel shim

Corvette Kiwi

Ironcross,

Thanks for the info.

+++++

However, I would still love if someone could post a photo or two of exactly what the dome looks like.

As for the head gasket, steel shim seems logical ... but does anyone know the compressed thickness of the gasket for a 427/435?

For example, many 1960s small-block Chevy V-8s had a steel shim with a compressed thickness of fifteen thousandths of an inch.

Ol Blue

Steel head gasket is .022, most aftermarket head gaskets that I've seen are .039 but available up to .050.