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Head Gasket Preference #169330
12/17/08 04:05 PM
12/17/08 04:05 PM
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 1,031
Raleigh N.C
H
hemiparts Offline OP
"Missile Pilot"
hemiparts  Offline OP
"Missile Pilot"
H

Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 1,031
Raleigh N.C
This will be the first time we've had my small block apart since I got it 2 years ago, and I was looking for some help on picking a head gasket supplier ?? Suggestions ??? i have access to Fel-Pro/ Cometic/ Corteco/

Re: Head Gasket Preference [Re: hemiparts] #169331
12/17/08 04:25 PM
12/17/08 04:25 PM
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 52,972
Romeo MI
MR_P_BODY Offline
Master
MR_P_BODY  Offline
Master

Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 52,972
Romeo MI
I like Fel-pro myself, been using them for along time
specially if the compression isnt way up there

Re: Head Gasket Preference [Re: MR_P_BODY] #169332
12/17/08 04:34 PM
12/17/08 04:34 PM
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 1,031
Raleigh N.C
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hemiparts Offline OP
"Missile Pilot"
hemiparts  Offline OP
"Missile Pilot"
H

Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 1,031
Raleigh N.C
12.5+ Compression

Re: Head Gasket Preference [Re: hemiparts] #169333
12/17/08 05:11 PM
12/17/08 05:11 PM
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 52,972
Romeo MI
MR_P_BODY Offline
Master
MR_P_BODY  Offline
Master

Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 52,972
Romeo MI
Quote:

12.5+ Compression




Which block are you using... if its a production
block at 12.5+ I would look at the Cometics, your
getting to the point that the fel-pro MIGHT not
cut it. But if its a R-block the felpro is fine

Re: Head Gasket Preference [Re: hemiparts] #169334
12/18/08 01:37 PM
12/18/08 01:37 PM
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 1,054
Eau Claire, WI
Charger727 Offline
super stock
Charger727  Offline
super stock

Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 1,054
Eau Claire, WI
I'd just use them same brand you have in there, unless they blew out on you

I have a 11.5 SB and a felpro blew out on me, but I think the builder didn't torque them down enough.

I tried copper SBC's but they didn't seal well with the water passages, I went back to felpro

Re: Head Gasket Preference [Re: Charger727] #2929721
06/03/21 10:42 AM
06/03/21 10:42 AM
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 1,440
NW Chicago suburban area
Mopar Mitch Offline
pro stock
Mopar Mitch  Offline
pro stock

Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 1,440
NW Chicago suburban area
Most people don't understand head gasket technology. Unfortunately, some gasket kits that sell with performance rebuilds only have a common passenger head gasket included... for cost reasons only.

The Fel-Pro Performance head gaskets (SB example FP 1008) are truly intended for high-performance duties. Their primary design features a solid steel core, covered by thin fiber facings along with anti-stick coating and the fire ring is a SS armor wrapped around an inside pre-compressed wire ring --- very similar to diesel designs (high cylinder and compression ratios). For many years, these same gaskets have been the standard in sealing hi-performance race motors.... NASCAR and others exclusively used them.

A common passenger head gasket (SB example FP 8553) will not have SS armors, nor will it have the internal wire ring... and those are commonly sold in rebuilding kits. Install them on a hi-perf engine -- which WILL eventually be subjected detonation and/or pre-ignition -- and the common tin-plate cylinder armor will possibly fatigue and fail. This type of gasket is OK for common non-hi-performance engines.

Another concern is that yesteryear's gas had higher octane ratings vs today's gas. Older hi-compression ratio engines suffer from detonation and/or pre-ignition due to the reduced grades of common gasoling at then local stations.

Then, we have the new MLS head gaskets -- multi-layer-steel... most all top name brand gasket companies produce these .. for specific applications. These gaskets are superior in combustion sealing, however, their origin was to allow casting and bore distortions to become minimal -- a science! They require very smooth surface finishes (heads and deck) which some machine shops are not capable - or resistant -- to perform. Also, these head gasket are very expensive. For most older and traditional engines, this design is overkill, and may not even be offered.

I'm a former gasket applications engineer with a major company. There is a lot of marketing within the industry. Beware of what you buy... and you pay for what you get.

Last edited by Mopar Mitch; 06/03/21 10:45 AM.

Mopar Mitch "Road racers and autocrossers go in deeper and come out harder!"... and rain never stops us from having fun with our cars... in fact, it makes us better drivers! Check out MOPAR ACTION MAGAZINE, August 2006 issue for feature article and specs on my autocross T/A!
Re: Head Gasket Preference [Re: Mopar Mitch] #2929722
06/03/21 10:48 AM
06/03/21 10:48 AM
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 20,645
So Near, Yet So Far
topside Offline
Too Many Posts
topside  Offline
Too Many Posts

Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 20,645
So Near, Yet So Far
FelPro 1008 & 1009 have worked fine for me, including my 13.0:1 drag motor (SB, alum heads, R1 block).
Cometic has a great reputation though.

Re: Head Gasket Preference [Re: hemiparts] #2929732
06/03/21 11:11 AM
06/03/21 11:11 AM
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 11,678
W. Kentucky
justinp61 Offline
I Live Here
justinp61  Offline
I Live Here

Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 11,678
W. Kentucky
I've ran Fep-Pro 1008's for years and never had an issue.







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