Head Gaskets
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 327
Likes: 2
From: se iowa
Head Gaskets
Hello all I have another question for the forum involving head gaskets. I recently purchased new heads to put on my car and am having them shaved so the combustion chamber is 60 cc's. I was told that I should run a .028 head gasket to help keep my compression close to where it needs to be. I understand this (I think) and thats the route I'm planning on going.
However when I was out at my Dad's I saw where he had a set of metal head gaskets hanging on his wall. He wasn't sure what they were for and didn't have his mic handy to check it. They looked like they were grey and had some kind of coating on them. Are these worth looking into or should I just go with the composites and call it a day.
Thanks for any info.
However when I was out at my Dad's I saw where he had a set of metal head gaskets hanging on his wall. He wasn't sure what they were for and didn't have his mic handy to check it. They looked like they were grey and had some kind of coating on them. Are these worth looking into or should I just go with the composites and call it a day.
Thanks for any info.
Tech Contributor
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 3,729
Likes: 190
From: Custer, WI
I would just buy new ones, then you are certain that they are the correct part.
Are the head gaskets on the wall still in boxes with part numbers? That would be the only way i would use them, in the rare occurrence that they would actually be the correct ones for your application.
Are the head gaskets on the wall still in boxes with part numbers? That would be the only way i would use them, in the rare occurrence that they would actually be the correct ones for your application.
Race Director
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 12,220
Likes: 446
From: Overland Park Kansas
2020 Corvette of the Year Finalist (appearance mods)
C4 of Year Winner (appearance mods) 2019
After shaving heads, you couldn't be reducing the thickness of the headgaskets to "keep the compression where it should be". You are, in fact, increasing compression...which is not a bad thing.
Running a .028" (Victor?) gasket gets you pretty close to the ideal .040" quench which isn't a bad suggestion. Several people are running those. (Google "quench" if you want to know more.)
Last edited by GREGGPENN; Sep 7, 2011 at 01:38 PM.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 327
Likes: 2
From: se iowa
Thanks for the info everyone. yes I'm trying to bring my compression up and had decided to use the .028 for that purpose. I will look for a head gasket for aluminum heads and will veer away from the steel ones.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 327
Likes: 2
From: se iowa
http://http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotor...item588efbd2b1
These are .025 is that going to be close enough to the .028? I'll need to check the clearances when it's going together. It doesn't say anything in the ad about it being for aluminum heads although it does talk about being able to withstand the motion between the head and the block so i'll keep nosing and just put this on my watch list.
These are .025 is that going to be close enough to the .028? I'll need to check the clearances when it's going together. It doesn't say anything in the ad about it being for aluminum heads although it does talk about being able to withstand the motion between the head and the block so i'll keep nosing and just put this on my watch list.
Race Director
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 10,036
Likes: 346
From: Anaheim CA
There are two types of head gaskets. One is the composite type and the other is the shim type. The biggest difference is the thickness. Check these guys out:
http://www.summitracing.com/parts/FEL-1003/
http://www.summitracing.com/parts/FEL-1094/
My '86 with cast iron heads came with shim type head gaskets from the factory. When I had my valves done, the machine shop told me not to use the composite gaskets because I would lose quite a bit of compression ratio. He recommended the 1094 gaskets, which are on my car now.
Given that you're shaving the heads, I would use the composite gaskets. Just make sure you're getting the proper thickness (and bore size... ;-).
http://www.summitracing.com/parts/FEL-1003/
http://www.summitracing.com/parts/FEL-1094/
My '86 with cast iron heads came with shim type head gaskets from the factory. When I had my valves done, the machine shop told me not to use the composite gaskets because I would lose quite a bit of compression ratio. He recommended the 1094 gaskets, which are on my car now.
Given that you're shaving the heads, I would use the composite gaskets. Just make sure you're getting the proper thickness (and bore size... ;-).
Instructor
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 215
Likes: 1
Hello all I have another question for the forum involving head gaskets. I recently purchased new heads to put on my car and am having them shaved so the combustion chamber is 60 cc's. I was told that I should run a .028 head gasket to help keep my compression close to where it needs to be. I understand this (I think) and thats the route I'm planning on going.
However when I was out at my Dad's I saw where he had a set of metal head gaskets hanging on his wall. He wasn't sure what they were for and didn't have his mic handy to check it. They looked like they were grey and had some kind of coating on them. Are these worth looking into or should I just go with the composites and call it a day.
Thanks for any info.
However when I was out at my Dad's I saw where he had a set of metal head gaskets hanging on his wall. He wasn't sure what they were for and didn't have his mic handy to check it. They looked like they were grey and had some kind of coating on them. Are these worth looking into or should I just go with the composites and call it a day.
Thanks for any info.
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Race Director
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 12,220
Likes: 446
From: Overland Park Kansas
2020 Corvette of the Year Finalist (appearance mods)
C4 of Year Winner (appearance mods) 2019
In my 383, I used a .040" Cometic (with a zero deck). I believe they're coated MLS.
