Head Gaskets for potentially not perfect mating surfaces?
Thread Starter
Race Director
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 19,353
Likes: 654
From: Tampa, Florida
Head Gaskets for potentially not perfect mating surfaces?
I know the 1094 is everyone's favorite head gasket.
What's the general consensus for a daily driver thats never had head or block work? I want something that'll seal if the mating surfaces are off a tick......I dont know that are but want to play it safe.
350 bored .030 over, flat top pistons, double hump heads. Max CR and quench are minor concerns.
What's the general consensus for a daily driver thats never had head or block work? I want something that'll seal if the mating surfaces are off a tick......I dont know that are but want to play it safe.
350 bored .030 over, flat top pistons, double hump heads. Max CR and quench are minor concerns.
Race Director
Joined: Jan 2000
Posts: 13,022
Likes: 2,264
From: Corsicana, Tx
2020 C2 of the Year - Modified Winner
2020 Corvette of the Year (performance mods)
C2 of Year Winner (performance mods) 2019
2017 C2 of Year Finalist
Good ole Fel Pro blue's. If it's really funky you can use some of the low $$$ rebuilder gaskets.
But I've used steel shims with no issues on blocks/heads that have never been machined.
JIM
But I've used steel shims with no issues on blocks/heads that have never been machined.
JIM
Team Owner
Joined: Jul 1999
Posts: 65,492
Likes: 230
From: Orange Park Florida
IMO, over the years, the favorite head finishing is to increase the comp ratio, and when doing that to take off more on the intake side of that surface than the exhaust....and so the plane of the intake changes, UNLESS that is machined to match the OEM angle of the dangle....the result is most typically the bottom edge of the intake gaskets are open to the lifter valley and so oil gets sucked into the intake passages OR it can get so bad the water passages on either end **** water down into the OIL..... SO, to get super thick gaskets, and seal the hell outta them with RTV Permatex Black on both sides.....and let cure overnight....
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 7,459
Likes: 978
From: RI, Now Franklin/Nashville TN
IMO, over the years, the favorite head finishing is to increase the comp ratio, and when doing that to take off more on the intake side of that surface than the exhaust....and so the plane of the intake changes, UNLESS that is machined to match the OEM angle of the dangle....the result is most typically the bottom edge of the intake gaskets are open to the lifter valley and so oil gets sucked into the intake passages OR it can get so bad the water passages on either end **** water down into the OIL..... SO, to get super thick gaskets, and seal the hell outta them with RTV Permatex Black on both sides.....and let cure overnight....
Permatex Black on Felpro's works great...I used 1094's on my L-82 block, not decked, with new AFR heads...worked like a charm...advice of the builder of my the short block L-82...he has done MANY engines (I mean A LOT) this way with zero issues.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 5,438
Likes: 1,255
From: Sarver Pa
2021 C1 of the Year Finalist - Modified
I like to spray my head gaskets with 2 coats of copper coat. then let em dry. Sold by NAPA, made for diesel engines. Works for me ! Years ago I used to run a Harley drag bike with 14 to 1 compression and copper head gaskets, started using this stuff then and use it ever since. In a pinch I could even reuse my head gaskets !
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
Every 2027 Corvette Engine Explained
Joe Kucinski
Designer Imagines A Corvette That Looks More Like a Corvette Than the Corvette
Verdad Gallardo
10 Ugly Corvettes That We Still Kinda Love
Joe Kucinski
Top 10 Most Expensive Corvettes Ever Sold on Bring A Trailer
Brett Foote
10 Things Every Corvette Owner Needs (2026 Edition)
Michael S. Palmer
8 Most "Only Corvette Owners Understand" Quirks and Problems
Pouria Savadkouei
10 Reasons the C6 Z06 is Still A Performance Benchmark After 20 Years
Joe Kucinski
How Much Horsepower Every Corvette Engine "LOST" in 1972
Joe Kucinski