Head Gasket question
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 471
Likes: 1
From: Hometown The best
Head Gasket question
I'm thinking about using Felpro 1094 steel shim .015 thick head gaskets to up my compression ratio. Has any one used these? Are there any issues with using a thin gasket like this? What gasket adhesive should I use if any? I don't need problems down the road so I need to know what I'm getting into here. Thanks
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 471
Likes: 1
From: Hometown The best
I have a brand new gmpp shortblock and brand new edelbrock performer rpm heads. Nothing has been touched, they are as bought. The thinest gm gasket I found was .028. Do you know of another?
Le Mans Master
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 6,347
Likes: 418
From: Seattle Area WA
I don't believe GM makes a thin headgasket good for aluminum heads. The one they list for their ZZ4 Al heads is .051". The viton coated Fel Pro will not cause brinneling like a plain steel gasket can.
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Burning Brakes
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 1,057
Likes: 4
From: Concord Calif
I'm thinking about using Felpro 1094 steel shim .015 thick head gaskets to up my compression ratio. Has any one used these? Are there any issues with using a thin gasket like this? What gasket adhesive should I use if any? I don't need problems down the road so I need to know what I'm getting into here. Thanks
Just a consideration you can usually go about .060 without having alignment problems which is good for about one full point in compression. But check everything no matter which way you go.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 5,948
Likes: 72
From: Oxford MA-----You just lost the game!!!!
Does the short block have flat top pistons? And what is the deck height? With flat tops, you can take advantage of quench by keeping it between .035" and .045" (deck height + compressed gasket thickness). Something to think about.
Scott
Scott
Team Owner
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 37,637
Likes: 3,116
From: Crossville TN
Doing all that work to boost compression a 'smidgen' is pretty much a waste of time. Now, if you were doing other things to increase performance that required you to remove the heads anyway, that would be a good thing. To do only that will be an exercise in futility and you will be disappointed in the results (if any). {just trying to save you some grief}
Drifting
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 1,781
Likes: 15
From: Oxford Ohio
7t1vette has well stated the result. If I were to build a small block and wanted a specific ratio I wouldn't do the small changes to get there. I wouldn't start by milling the heads as you affect the intake head contact.
I'd get set on the heads I wanted to use, the stroke, bore, the gasket I wanted to use, and the deck height and send that information to weisco or JE or other good piston co. and tell them what ratio I wanted to end up with and they will provide you with some great pistons. Keep in mind they are proud of them though.. At least you know what you'll end up with.
I'd get set on the heads I wanted to use, the stroke, bore, the gasket I wanted to use, and the deck height and send that information to weisco or JE or other good piston co. and tell them what ratio I wanted to end up with and they will provide you with some great pistons. Keep in mind they are proud of them though.. At least you know what you'll end up with.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 2,317
Likes: 111
From: St Louis MO
Since normal deck height of the stock GM short blocks is .025", your quench height works out to be .025" + .015" = .040" which is perfect.
I've used that Fel Pro steel shim gasket and like it!
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 6,504
Likes: 139
From: Butler Pa
Doing all that work to boost compression a 'smidgen' is pretty much a waste of time. Now, if you were doing other things to increase performance that required you to remove the heads anyway, that would be a good thing. To do only that will be an exercise in futility and you will be disappointed in the results (if any). {just trying to save you some grief}
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 471
Likes: 1
From: Hometown The best
That's right , the heads have not been installed. Everything is brand new, still in the boxs. It sounds like the 1094 gaskets will work fine and will reach my objective. One more question .... do you need to retorque the heads using the 1094 gasket?
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 1,057
Likes: 4
From: Concord Calif
Yes you should re torque a shim gasket as well as the aluminum heads.
If these heads are still in the box why not send them back and get the chamber size you need, that way you get to use the better gaskets also. just a thought.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 2,317
Likes: 111
From: St Louis MO
Best advice is to follow the instructions of the gasket manufacturer.
Good quench and your target SCR, great job.
Race Director
Joined: Apr 2000
Posts: 17,676
Likes: 201
From: Who says "Nothing is impossible" ? I've been doing nothing for years.
Federal Mogul makes or used to make a nice thin steel shim head gasket. You spray it with aluminum paint prior to install. I made 300HP at the rear wheels with that gasket in there and never had a problem with in it in my warmed over "L48" 