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Steel shim head gaskets #3224675
04/03/24 09:40 AM
04/03/24 09:40 AM
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 304
Mesa, AZ
cagebob1 Offline OP
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cagebob1  Offline OP
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Mesa, AZ
I just installed a set of Edelbrock aluminum heads on a friend's 12.5 to 1 440. I used Mr gasket 1135g steel shim head gaskets ( he provided them). Been doing some reading since and now am second guessing that choice in gaskets. Should I be worried?

Re: Steel shim head gaskets [Re: cagebob1] #3224679
04/03/24 09:50 AM
04/03/24 09:50 AM
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Posts: 876
Missouri
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jwb123 Offline
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Missouri
They used steel shim gaskets for many years with no problems. MLR gaskets are just a different version of steel shim head gaskets. Main deal is surface smoothness of the block and heads. Steel shim and MLR gaskets don't conform much so surface RA should be 30 or better. Most likely the only issue you may have is when you pull the engine apart for service you will have a groove in the heads where the fire ring compresses. And may want to get the head surfaced to install another new gasket, but that is down the road.

Re: Steel shim head gaskets [Re: cagebob1] #3224682
04/03/24 10:06 AM
04/03/24 10:06 AM
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Posts: 2,296
NE Ohio
DoubleD Offline
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NE Ohio
probably not the best choice at 12 to 1 - I used to run a similar gasket back in the late 80's using Permatex copper coat spray on them - they usually would blow between cylinders after awhile - those gaskets do not have a fire ring so should not mar the head. the factory used steel shim gaskets and they seemed to last - it all depends on the how flat the deck is. The better choice would have been a felpro 1009.

Re: Steel shim head gaskets [Re: cagebob1] #3224687
04/03/24 10:41 AM
04/03/24 10:41 AM
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Kalispell Mt.
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HotRodDave Offline
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multi layered steel is best for iron block aluminum head don't worry about it. They are better than composite unless you have a bad surface finish.


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Re: Steel shim head gaskets [Re: cagebob1] #3224691
04/03/24 11:04 AM
04/03/24 11:04 AM
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Posts: 31,021
Oregon
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AndyF Offline
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Oregon
I'd never use steel shim gaskets with aluminum heads but if you have them on there you might as well run them until they cause a problem. You'll have to resurface the heads when you pull it apart. Did you verify that the head gaskets were large enough to clear the combustion chambers? Often times the OEM steel shim gaskets won't clear aftermarket combustion chambers.

Re: Steel shim head gaskets [Re: cagebob1] #3224725
04/03/24 12:32 PM
04/03/24 12:32 PM
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Posts: 43,157
Bend,OR USA
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Cab_Burge Offline
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Using steel head gaskets with aluminum heads and iron blocks has been consider a big No No tsk for a very long time tsk work scope twocents


Mr.Cab Racing and winning with Mopars since 1964. (Old F--t, Huh)
Re: Steel shim head gaskets [Re: Cab_Burge] #3224744
04/03/24 01:31 PM
04/03/24 01:31 PM
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 20,762
A collage of whims
topside Offline
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A collage of whims
I agree with Cab - the difference in expansion/contraction rates (iron/aluminum) makes a composite the better choice for longevity.
Fel-Pro 1008s or 1009s have been on my aluminum-head Mopars for years, up to 13.0:1.

Re: Steel shim head gaskets [Re: cagebob1] #3224773
04/03/24 03:02 PM
04/03/24 03:02 PM
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Posts: 1,772
Keymar, MD
DusterKid Offline
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Keymar, MD
I used those gaskets a few times on my builds. Stock block with 440 source heads with 10.5:1 compression. I never had an issue.

Re: Steel shim head gaskets [Re: DusterKid] #3224778
04/03/24 03:18 PM
04/03/24 03:18 PM
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Washington
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hemienvy Offline
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I thought the steel shims should only be used with iron block / iron heads.

Re: Steel shim head gaskets [Re: hemienvy] #3224831
04/03/24 06:36 PM
04/03/24 06:36 PM
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Bend,OR USA
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Cab_Burge Offline
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Bend,OR USA
Originally Posted by hemienvy
I thought the steel shims should only be used with iron block / iron heads.
iagree up
Composite, copper or any non stamp steel stock type factory head gaskets twocents

Last edited by Cab_Burge; 04/03/24 06:37 PM.

Mr.Cab Racing and winning with Mopars since 1964. (Old F--t, Huh)
Re: Steel shim head gaskets [Re: Cab_Burge] #3224915
04/04/24 02:55 AM
04/04/24 02:55 AM
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 5,161
CT
GTX MATT Offline
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CT
I’ve been running them with aluminum heads for 10 years. I even removed a head and put it back together with a new gasket and did not re-surface. But i’m at 11:1 compression.


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Re: Steel shim head gaskets [Re: GTX MATT] #3224935
04/04/24 08:07 AM
04/04/24 08:07 AM
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 9,835
MI, usa
dvw Offline
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MI, usa
Built a friends 440 with Eddy RPM heads. Steel shim gaskets at 10.0-1. It's been together and raced for years. I personally don't see why they would be any diferent than using a MLS gasket.
Doug







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