Author Topic: Best Head Gaskets  (Read 2989 times)

Offline JohnnyPopper

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Best Head Gaskets
« on: June 19, 2020, 09:04:38 PM »
I'm getting ready to land the heads, looked at the gaskets in the 'kit' I bought last year, they look anemic.

Any thought on this, based on experience?

Did a search and this PN came up: 10185054

Thanks in advance as usual!
1957 Apache 3100 235 Inline 6, 3 on the tree
1973 C-20, 3+3 454 4BBL TH400  Water Injection
1978 K-10, 350 4BBL TH350 NP203 M.M. Part time Kit/Hubs
1980 C-10 under construction

Offline JohnnyPopper

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Re: Best Head Gaskets
« Reply #1 on: June 19, 2020, 09:30:08 PM »
I found some NOS on Ebay, GM packaging.

Does anyone think aftermarket are better?

TY  8)
1957 Apache 3100 235 Inline 6, 3 on the tree
1973 C-20, 3+3 454 4BBL TH400  Water Injection
1978 K-10, 350 4BBL TH350 NP203 M.M. Part time Kit/Hubs
1980 C-10 under construction

Online ehjorten

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Re: Best Head Gaskets
« Reply #2 on: June 19, 2020, 10:10:43 PM »
What heads to what engine?
-Erik-
1991 V3500 - Gen V TBI 454, 4L80E, NP205, 14 bolt FF, D60, 8" Lift on 35s
1977 K20 Silverado - 350, THM350, NP203, 14 bolt FF, D44, Stock Lift on 31s
1969 Chevelle Malibu Sport Coupe - EFI350, THM350
1968 Chevrolet Step-side Pickup - 300HP L6

Offline JohnnyPopper

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Re: Best Head Gaskets
« Reply #3 on: June 20, 2020, 06:44:23 PM »
Cast iron heads, OEM off a 350, 383 lower end

I know, I know, for a little more $ you can fly first class... ::)
1957 Apache 3100 235 Inline 6, 3 on the tree
1973 C-20, 3+3 454 4BBL TH400  Water Injection
1978 K-10, 350 4BBL TH350 NP203 M.M. Part time Kit/Hubs
1980 C-10 under construction

Offline JohnnyPopper

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Re: Best Head Gaskets
« Reply #4 on: June 20, 2020, 06:45:30 PM »
Just to add, I drove the Z28 it came out of...scary fast 8)
1957 Apache 3100 235 Inline 6, 3 on the tree
1973 C-20, 3+3 454 4BBL TH400  Water Injection
1978 K-10, 350 4BBL TH350 NP203 M.M. Part time Kit/Hubs
1980 C-10 under construction

Offline bigben5054

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Re: Best Head Gaskets
« Reply #5 on: June 22, 2020, 09:58:27 AM »
I'm no expert on head gaskets, but personally I would go aftermarket over NOS.  I don't know if head gaskets have a "shelf life" but it seems risky to me.  Especially when you typically pay more for NOS than aftermarket.  I trust Fel-Pro's stuff.  Another thing I learned recently was that you are supposed to use the correct gasket thickness for your motor.  You should aim for .035-.045 quench.  So step one should be to measure how far down in the hole your pistons sit at TDC.  Then choose the correct thickness gasket to get you in that range.  For example, my pistons were down about .025, so I bought the steel shim gaskets that are .016, to give me .041 quench.  I sprayed the gaskets with the copper gasket stuff before installing.   

Offline JohnnyPopper

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Re: Best Head Gaskets
« Reply #6 on: June 22, 2020, 04:26:59 PM »
Thanks BB, I'll start there. I use the copper stuff too, for like 40 years... 8)
1957 Apache 3100 235 Inline 6, 3 on the tree
1973 C-20, 3+3 454 4BBL TH400  Water Injection
1978 K-10, 350 4BBL TH350 NP203 M.M. Part time Kit/Hubs
1980 C-10 under construction

Offline JohnnyPopper

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Re: Best Head Gaskets
« Reply #7 on: July 14, 2020, 11:14:23 PM »
Just measured the drop of my pistons, well on No. 1. It's sitting .045 below the block.

That doesn't sound good from your last post. Any ideas?

Thanks!
1957 Apache 3100 235 Inline 6, 3 on the tree
1973 C-20, 3+3 454 4BBL TH400  Water Injection
1978 K-10, 350 4BBL TH350 NP203 M.M. Part time Kit/Hubs
1980 C-10 under construction

Offline bigben5054

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Re: Best Head Gaskets
« Reply #8 on: July 16, 2020, 02:40:52 PM »
Perhaps it was rebuilt once upon a time and someone used pistons with a shorter compression height.  Stock pistons have a 1.560 compression height.  I'd bet yours are 1.540.  You could pull them and measure.  Either way, there are really only 3 options.  1) have the block deck milled; 2) get pistons with the proper piston height; or 3) run it!  If you used steel shims you'd be around .060.  Maybe someone else can weigh in, but I'm sure there are plenty of old SBC's out there running up and down the streets just fine with quench in that range. 

Offline JohnnyPopper

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Re: Best Head Gaskets
« Reply #9 on: July 16, 2020, 06:28:22 PM »
Thanks BB!

It was rebuilt before I got it, so we'll just go with that and RUN it!

When you say shim at .060, you are talking about metal head gaskets?

Hate to sound like a dweeb but there is still some jargon on this board that I don't synch up with... ::)
1957 Apache 3100 235 Inline 6, 3 on the tree
1973 C-20, 3+3 454 4BBL TH400  Water Injection
1978 K-10, 350 4BBL TH350 NP203 M.M. Part time Kit/Hubs
1980 C-10 under construction

Offline bigben5054

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Re: Best Head Gaskets
« Reply #10 on: July 21, 2020, 04:41:13 PM »
I just mean that the head gasket thickness gets added to the .045 you already have.  I *think* the thinnest head gasket option is the steel shim gaskets which are .016. 

Offline JohnnyPopper

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Re: Best Head Gaskets
« Reply #11 on: July 21, 2020, 08:42:44 PM »
Thanks again! I'm slowly getting it... :-[
1957 Apache 3100 235 Inline 6, 3 on the tree
1973 C-20, 3+3 454 4BBL TH400  Water Injection
1978 K-10, 350 4BBL TH350 NP203 M.M. Part time Kit/Hubs
1980 C-10 under construction

Offline frotosride

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Re: Best Head Gaskets
« Reply #12 on: July 21, 2020, 10:10:08 PM »
Yup id defiantly run it to. I would run it if I didn't have a set of Pistons laying around with a better height and they would have to be floating rods. Other than that I wouldn't spend the time to fix this issue.

On a non related topic...
I Wanna see that Apache!
"Beat it like a red-headed ford"
1987 v10 Silverado(LQ4), 87 R10,83 K20, 83 cucv 6.2 Detroit
2006 Boulevard M109R 109 cid,2019 M109R BOSS
2009 Jeep XK, (future LS Swap)
GSXR 750 engine awaiting go kart

Offline JohnnyPopper

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Re: Best Head Gaskets
« Reply #13 on: August 06, 2020, 05:26:53 PM »
I just mean that the head gasket thickness gets added to the .045 you already have.  I *think* the thinnest head gasket option is the steel shim gaskets which are .016.

Would anyone know who makes them? Just called Napa, their only choices are .039 and .041

Thanks!!!
1957 Apache 3100 235 Inline 6, 3 on the tree
1973 C-20, 3+3 454 4BBL TH400  Water Injection
1978 K-10, 350 4BBL TH350 NP203 M.M. Part time Kit/Hubs
1980 C-10 under construction

Offline JohnnyPopper

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Re: Best Head Gaskets
« Reply #14 on: August 06, 2020, 05:46:50 PM »
Felpro 7733-SH1

.013-.016

33.00 pair at Napa Auto

Thanks Guys!
1957 Apache 3100 235 Inline 6, 3 on the tree
1973 C-20, 3+3 454 4BBL TH400  Water Injection
1978 K-10, 350 4BBL TH350 NP203 M.M. Part time Kit/Hubs
1980 C-10 under construction