Generally speaking which brand of head gasket is best (in your opinion) for mating aluminum heads to an iron block?
Head gaskets for Aluminum Heads
- Thread starter 65 Dartman
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cometic is a great gasket, edelbrock "makes" their own units that they specifically recommend for alum heads as well. don't discount some plain ol' fel-pro perma torques. i've used all three and had great success with all of them. just depends on budget and application.
something to keep in mind: some gaskets require a specific machined finish on the deck and head surfaces, with out that you'll have poor performance, longevity or outright failures.
something to keep in mind: some gaskets require a specific machined finish on the deck and head surfaces, with out that you'll have poor performance, longevity or outright failures.
Do you know which one(s) require special head/block machining. If not, maybe someone will chime in with the answer
many MLS ones have specific criteria, generally smoother than a "standard" finish. most composite are fairly forgiving.
i know that's pretty vague, but it's best to check the mfgr's specs before committing.
340six
King Of Bling
FelPro 1008 and BB get 1009
TT5.9mag
Two atmospheres are better than one
Ive used just about every kind of gasket on every head block combo. Copper, composite, mls, steel shim, etc. and never had one that worked better or worse than any other. Cometic says their gasket needs a specific RA on the deck surface but I know guys that don’t bother and just run em on big boost LS stuff with no problems. Pick a gasket from whatever brand you like, and gets the compression where you want it and send it!
AJ/FormS
68 Formua-S fastback clone 367/A833/GVod/3.55s
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The 1008s have worked for me at up to 11.3Scr/195psi, on virgin Eddies, since 2005ish. I even reused one set a couple of times. Times were tough.
33IMP
Well-Known Member
I used solid copper shim, with hylomar. Sealed up a 11.5 roller motor, no problem.
33IMP
Well-Known Member
The white car in the avatar uses an ordinary composition gasket with an aluminum head/iron block.
But it does have 27 head bolts. And about 6.5 to 1 comp ratio.
But it does have 27 head bolts. And about 6.5 to 1 comp ratio.
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Plymouth 65
I'll be in the shop
Depending on compression ratio, I use Fel-Pro 8553 PT or 1008. 65
The 1008 has a wire ring for higher compression.
My block will likely be close to a bore of 4 inches or slightly less. Wondering if the 1008’s ring at 4.180 would be too large or perhaps Cometic’s 5622 4.080 or Cometic’s 5916 at 4.040 (recommended for iron block/aluminum head application)would be better choices All 3 have the crush value of .040 as recommended by Jim at Racer Brown
Check the chamber shape in your cylinder head as opposed to the bore size of the block.
Most ppl never check the combustion chamber then wonder why they blow head gaskets. Kim
As an example my 505 stroker with the bore of 4.350 needs a 4.500 as the Indy heads chamber needs that size of gasket. Kim
I will check ans measure my Edelbrock’s combustion chanber and proceed accordingly
If I were you, I'd CALL Cometic and tell them what you have, what you are doing and what you want. They are the experts.
rowinafour
Well-Known Member
I would stay away from the Mr Gasket product. The set I had installed leaked onto the floor as I added water for initial fire up. To say I was pissed is an understatement. Changed over to 1008 Fel-Pro, not one drop. I have Cometics on two other engines that have aluminum heads, worked as designed.
I called them today; talked with very knowledgeable tech rep who did ask quite a few questions. The final tally was to build custom head, intake and exhaust gaskets based on what I have, my goals and what my machine shop recommended based on my parts.
This engine is destined for my 47 Dodge
jos51700
Green Bearing thread connoisseur
When the composite head gaskets on Neons were blowing out, the MLS solved those problems. The procedure involved covering the gasket with a pink tacky spray stuff from Mopar. Do the modern MLS gaskets require the pink spray??
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