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340 Engine needs thicker head gasket #441761 08/18/09 06:56 AM 08/18/09 06:56 AM
Joined: Apr 2004 Posts: 589 Waynesboro, PA C cuda_tim OP mopar
cuda_tim OP mopar C Joined: Apr 2004 Posts: 589 Waynesboro, PA	Guys! I have a 340 engine that appears to require thicker head gaskets than the 0.039 (compressed thickness) of the Fel-Pro's (which I've always used with great success). I inquired about getting some 0.055 (also compressed thickness) gaskets from Cometic, but I'm concerned with the 50 RA finish (along with the flatness requirement) that is needed to insure they seal properly. Question: I was considering using a 0.016 steel shim with the composite Fel-Pro's. Is this a viable option? How long would this last? Anybody? Thanks! Tim... "Robots building robots.... now that's just stupid!" - Will Smith in the movie "I, Robot". '71 Demon (340/727)/'69 Charger (383/727)/'65 Barracuda (273-2V/904)/'66 Coronet (340/727)/'86 Dodge Aries (2.5L)/'78 Dodge Aspen (318-2V/904)

Re: 340 Engine needs thicker head gasket [Re: cuda_tim] #441762 08/18/09 08:13 AM 08/18/09 08:13 AM
Joined: Jan 2003 Posts: 9,826 las vegas 70AARcuda master
70AARcuda master Joined: Jan 2003 Posts: 9,826 las vegas	fel pro has a .053 head gasket... mr gasket has a .028 head gasket....pn 1121 Tony 70 AARCuda Vitamin C 71 Dart Swinger 360 10.318 @ 128.22(10-04-14 Bakersfield) 71 Demon 360 10.666 @122.41 (01-29-17 @ Las Vegas) 71 Duster 408 (10.29 @ 127.86 3/16/19 Las Vegas)

Re: 340 Engine needs thicker head gasket [Re: 70AARcuda] #441763 08/18/09 09:11 AM 08/18/09 09:11 AM
Joined: Nov 2003 Posts: 36,041 Lincoln Nebraska R RapidRobert Circle Track
RapidRobert Circle Track R Joined: Nov 2003 Posts: 36,041 Lincoln Nebraska	I have a set of fel pro 8553pt? blue ones that are I believe .054" live every 24 hour block of time like it's your last day on earth

Re: 340 Engine needs thicker head gasket [Re: RapidRobert] #441764 08/18/09 10:26 AM 08/18/09 10:26 AM
Joined: Feb 2005 Posts: 4,884 Michigan MNobody master
MNobody master Joined: Feb 2005 Posts: 4,884 Michigan	Quote: I have a set of fel pro 8553pt? blue ones that are I believe .054" I'm just guessing but i bet the 53 at the end of the part number means .053 thick but i've been known to be wrong

Re: 340 Engine needs thicker head gasket [Re: 70AARcuda] #441765 08/18/09 01:03 PM 08/18/09 01:03 PM
Joined: Apr 2004 Posts: 589 Waynesboro, PA C cuda_tim OP mopar
cuda_tim OP mopar C Joined: Apr 2004 Posts: 589 Waynesboro, PA	Quote: fel pro has a .053 head gasket... mr gasket has a .028 head gasket....pn 1121 Thanks, guys! But I think that if you check the specs on the 8553PT, it still ends up with a 0.039 or 0.040 compressed thickness. Now they do make a 8553SP which is 0.020. Now sure if I could use both at the same time or not. "Robots building robots.... now that's just stupid!" - Will Smith in the movie "I, Robot". '71 Demon (340/727)/'69 Charger (383/727)/'65 Barracuda (273-2V/904)/'66 Coronet (340/727)/'86 Dodge Aries (2.5L)/'78 Dodge Aspen (318-2V/904)

Re: 340 Engine needs thicker head gasket [Re: cuda_tim] #441766 08/18/09 01:14 PM 08/18/09 01:14 PM
Joined: Jan 2006 Posts: 91 Pacific NW cuda66318 member
cuda66318 member Joined: Jan 2006 Posts: 91 Pacific NW	??? Unless your heads were sufaced on some sort of WW2 Dinasour tooth old surfacing machine you'll be fine. If you can't feel any grooves in the head or block the Cometics will work, if you have any doubts just get a can of coppercoat spray and give them 3 light coats and bolt them down. If your bolts or studs have been cycled correctly re-torking is not required with Cometic. The won't push between cylinders and are available in .051-.060 maybe even a .055 compressed. They are without a doubt the best head gasket made. Heads can be surfaced at most places for $60-$100 you should surface them no matter what gasket you use, you don't have to disassemble, just take them in and have take a skin cut, simple and cheap insurance. Search "Mopar Head gaskets" on Google and deal with somene who knows Mopars they can ship in 4 seconds flat.

Re: 340 Engine needs thicker head gasket [Re: cuda_tim] #441767 08/18/09 03:07 PM 08/18/09 03:07 PM
Joined: Jan 2003 Posts: 16,123 Grand Haven, MI patrick I Live Here
patrick I Live Here Joined: Jan 2003 Posts: 16,123 Grand Haven, MI	whatever ones that came in my 360's felpro engine teardown kit (I think it's the 8553PT's) were .054". 1976 Spinnaker White Plymouth Duster, /6 A833OD 1986 Silver/Twilight Blue Chrysler 5th Ave HotRod SOLD!* 2011 Toxic Orange Dodge Charger R/T 2017 Grand Cherokee Overland 2014 Jeep Cherokee Latitude (holy crap, my daughter is driving)

Re: 340 Engine needs thicker head gasket [Re: patrick] #441768 08/18/09 03:10 PM 08/18/09 03:10 PM
Joined: Nov 2003 Posts: 36,041 Lincoln Nebraska R RapidRobert Circle Track
RapidRobert Circle Track R Joined: Nov 2003 Posts: 36,041 Lincoln Nebraska	I miked my new 8553pt's @ .054" and head gaskets only crush a couple of thou live every 24 hour block of time like it's your last day on earth

Re: 340 Engine needs thicker head gasket [Re: RapidRobert] #441769 08/18/09 09:22 PM 08/18/09 09:22 PM
Joined: Jan 2003 Posts: 1,008 wv D Dartcuda super stock
Dartcuda super stock D Joined: Jan 2003 Posts: 1,008 wv	The 8553PT is a .054" composite head gasket , The 8553SP is a .020" copper shim used to decrease compression or take the place of excessivly milled heads or block . It can be used with a composite head gasket.

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