I posted this question on my other thread L98 work but it is buried, so I've broken it out for some comments.

Trying to get gaskets for the rebuild, There seems to be quite a bit of debate on the ones to use.

At my local parts store the Fel-Pro model that is recommended for the car is Q7733PT2, that number is nothing like the 1003 that was discussed here or one other that I've seen mentioned????

I'm seeing that there might be a Fel-Pro and a Fel-Pro Performance line? Is that the difference? The information on the Fel-Pro Q7733PT2 is that it is the OEM replacement.

Confused?

 

Do you have aluminum heads or cast iron?If you have aluminum I would suggest you use the multilayerd steel gaskets.They seal better and are less prone to failure.

 

Yeah, I've got the aluminum heads. I think both these gaskets are multilayered. The only real difference I can find is that the 1003 is designed for higher compression, turbo/supercharged applications As this is stock motor with the only mod going to 1.6 rockers I would think the normal Fel-Pro would be fine........But I only want to do this once!

 

Any input on choices?

 

Trying to get more data to make this choice

Locally I can find these

Fel-Pro 7733PT2 - This seems to be the recommended stock replacement

Attributes:
Features & Benefits:The Industry Standard For Non Retorque Head Gaskets. Features Premium Grade Coating
Facing
and Armor.
Features & Benefits - 4:Irregular Bore Shape.
Product Features:PermaTorque.
Material:Composite Facing w/Steel Core.
Combustion Chamber Opening Size:4.125"

Fel-Pro 501SD - Severe Duty
Attributes:
Features & Benefits:Increased Armor Thickness for Enhanced Detonation Resistance and Maximized Combustion Seal.
Features & Benefits:Severe Duty Head Gasket.
Features & Benefits:Specifically Designed for Severe Duty Applications.
Features & Benefits - 2:Increased Body Core Thickness for Higher Radial Strength.
Features & Benefits - 3:Silicone Coating For Enhanced Fluid Sealability.
Features & Benefits - 4:Irregular Bore Shape.
Product Features:PermaTorqueSD.
Material:Composite Facing w/Steel Core.
Combustion Chamber Opening Size:4.125"

Fel-Pro FPG1010 - High Performance
Attributes:
Features & Benefits: Dry Install Required.
Features & Benefits: Will not Brinell Aluminum Cylinder Heads.
Product Features: Provides Highly Concentrated Combustion Chamber Sealing
Able to Withstand Combustion Pressures Ranging From 1500 - 3000 psi.
Material:KEVLAR Laminate Facing on Steel Core w/Pre-flattened Copper Wire Combustion Ring.
Combustion Chamber Opening Size:4.166"
Combustion Chamber Volume:8.9
Compression Operating Thickness:.039"


These range from $16 to $70 a piece, quite a range! So while 'm not looking to go cheap I don't want to buy what I don't need for a basic stock rebuild plus 1.6 rockers!

 

I was recommended to use "victor" gasket by my machine shop, I never looked into them since I bought felpro's before he told me.

 

I have run the 7733pt2's on every small block I have built. It is twice the quality you need.
They work, they are cheap, and reliable.
Buy them. You wont be sorry.

 

Funny thing is the machine shop that I used also mentioned they used Victor. The Voctor seems a little harder to come by.

Pete K, I was thinking what you have written here. For a stock compression, stock induction engine it just seem that a good reputable brand gasket would do the trick. I'm guessing that you've put these on engine that far surpass the specs of this stock L98. I think I'm ready to pick up these for the weekend, thanks for the comments.

 

I have nothing agains Victor. But my experience is with felpro.
I have been running 10.75 compression and a 150 shot of spray for many, many years with success. If it holds up to that kind of cylinder pressure on a consistant basis, they are not bad.
Any gasket you buy will work, but why spend the money if you dont need to.
The key to a solid head gasket is:
Flat Block deck
Flat head deck
clean, properly lubed, and sealed bolts and proper torquing.

Most head gaskets rot out before they fail from cylinder pressure.

 

Well heads have just been surfaced
Been cleaning the heck out of the block surfaces
And I'm going to use permatex lube and just a bit of oil on the bolt heads for lube during torque, I think it will be fine!

Thanks for the input Pete!

 

make sure you 3 step the torque on the heads and after the final torque let it sit and check the torque after before putting the rest of the stuff on.

so were the heads warped at all?

 

The L98 head gasket TPIS sells is a Victor. Interestingly, it's thinner at .028". That's about 1/2 the thickness of stock

I would try it, but it seems like a bad idea w/o using a new block. With a new block, it seems like a better idea -- esp if you want more compression.

 

I used the FP 1010 gaskets on 2 different rebuilds and they held up great.Cant really go wrong with Fel pro,they should outlast the motor your rebuilding.Just pick the one that suits your needs/build/etc.

 

The machine shop said one didn't begin to fully clean up until .003 I think it was, the other was pretty good. I think they took them down .005 as I remember.

 

check your piston-to-deck clearances then select gasket based on that towards achieving a quench distance between about 0.025" and about 0.042"

 

I have always used the Fel-Pro teflon coated head gaskets and they last a long time. I told my mechanic I'd pay the extra money for the teflon coated gaskets and when he learned how long my gaskets lasted, that is all he uses any more. Non coated gaskets never lasted more than 2 years on my 87 which I drive every day. The teflon gaskets last more than 6 years!

 

I picked up the 7733PT2 Felpro's last night and I think that is what I'll go with.

 

I am using the .028 Victor from TPIS with no problems.

 

On a fresh block or existing block (without machining)? How many miles w/o issue?

gp

 

My block is of 72 vintage, I bought the shortblock already assembled with TRW forged flattops that were about ten thousands below deck if I remember correctly, which was close to what my stock block and pistons were. Also running stock heads, rest of motor is mildly built. I did the math at the time and came up with about 10.2-1 compression. Approximately 5k on motor at this point. I do have some detonation issues which I plan on addressing by reinstalling my EGR, and fixing a pulsating adjustable FPR that likes to adjust itself to make sure I am not running lean at WOT. I may get some 24 pound injectors as I am currently running 19# Fords as I plan on more HP upgrades in the future.