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Head gasket interchangeability #3237579
06/09/24 10:11 PM
06/09/24 10:11 PM
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ILLINOIS
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volaredon Offline OP
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volaredon  Offline OP
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I know that magnum engines have different oil passage holes from LA engines.
Can I use LA head gaskets for a magnum engine? All stock parts. Factory stock magnum heads (yes surprisingly I have a pair that isn't cracked)
Have an engine to build, want to do so as much as possible with what I have on hand.

Re: Head gasket interchangeability [Re: volaredon] #3237631
06/10/24 10:43 AM
06/10/24 10:43 AM
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Sniper Offline
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Magnums oil thru the pushrods so there is no oiling passageway in the head for the valvetrain. That shouldn't be an issue, not sure if anything else prevents it though.

Re: Head gasket interchangeability [Re: Sniper] #3237681
06/10/24 01:50 PM
06/10/24 01:50 PM
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ILLINOIS
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volaredon Offline OP
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I knew that there were differences in oiling between the LA and magnum, I have 1 LA to do the top end of and that engine is getting '302 heads (all LA engine top to bottom) and 1 magnum complete engine to build and am hoping to do both jobs while being able to use up stuff that I have collecting dust to do so.
Neither is a race car, one is a low mile 78 B body that will retain its original short block and the magnum is destined for a tow pig Durango. No crazy comp ratio, no rumpity rump cams, etc on either. I have a few sets of LA marine grade head gaskets that (even though neither is being built to power a boat) but because I have them I was hoping to be able to use them on both engines. I don't think I have any magnum head gaskets left laying on the shelf.
So it sounds like I can use LA head gaskets on a magnum but not the other way around? Can anyone verify this thinking?

Re: Head gasket interchangeability [Re: volaredon] #3237693
06/10/24 02:52 PM
06/10/24 02:52 PM
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Eagle, Idaho
Neil Offline
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Neil  Offline
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Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 20,833
Eagle, Idaho
If nobody can confirm just take the LA gasket set to the parts store and visually compare them to the Magnum gaskets? Most parts stores should have 5.9 gaskets available.

Also post your findings that way others can find the answer if this question comes up again. A number of worthy questions on here kinda dead-end, and we never know if someone was able to resolve their problem or not,

Last edited by Neil; 06/11/24 12:54 AM.
Re: Head gasket interchangeability [Re: Neil] #3238091
06/12/24 11:08 AM
06/12/24 11:08 AM
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God's Country Maryland
GODSCOUNTRY340 Offline
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The gaskets are different looking but they are interchangeable, the only difference is the section where the pushrods go through but that's not really needed. Pics of the gaskets together and then placed on top of each other. All holes line up, used one is 360 Magnum, new one is 340. As you can see the 360 magnum cracked a head and hydraulic locked the cylinder and pushed the gasket out.

IMG_5935.jpegIMG_5936.jpeg
Last edited by GODSCOUNTRY340; 06/12/24 11:11 AM. Reason: pics

I love the smell of Deer guts in the morning, it smells like... VICTORY!
Re: Head gasket interchangeability [Re: GODSCOUNTRY340] #3238130
06/12/24 12:39 PM
06/12/24 12:39 PM
Joined: Oct 2021
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USA
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Underthinker Offline
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The only thing I have ever ran into is using a magnum gasket with a flat tappet cam, you need to cut the pushrod holes out on the top because the shorter lifter won’t let the pushrod fit into the factory roller cam pushrod holes. I was also trying to use up gaskets I already had.







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