Any Issues with Thinner Head Gaskets?

[JAKEJR]

I've noticed that several guys have gone with thinner head gaskets (.026/.028) mainly to increase C.R.

I'm wondering if there have been any reported cases of problems or failures.

Feed-back appreciated.

Thanks,

Jake

West Point ROCKS!

[95formula383lt1]

im running thinner head gaskets i do believe there the impalla gaskets i dont remember the part number i used, there felpros, no problems so far, and its been super hot a few times.

[Adam]

I've never heard of any negative issues with them. You'll bump up your compression but it'll still be in the 10.x range. I've seen guys run 12.5 on the street. I run 11.6 to 1, with Mr Gasket 5716 = 0.026. I'm not using stock pistons ect though.

Head Gasket Thickness
Stock gasket = 0.040
Fel Pro 1074 = 0.039
Impala = 0.029
Mr Gasket 5716 = 0.026

Here is a calculator I like to use: http://www.bgsoflex.com/cr.html

[My95Z]

Stock is .051" for the aluminum headed LT1, but anyways I'm running Felpro 1074's here, no problems. The only time I could even see an issue is if the head was a hair warped and the thicker gasket would help compensate for it, but a warped head is a warped head can't blame the gasket for it.

[James Montigny]

I've run .026, .029 .039 and stock gaskets on LT1s without issue.
LT1s have excellent Piston:Valve clearance.
You will want to avoid the thinner gaskets if you've zero-decked the block.
At the very least, understand the implications of a sub-.030" quench and piston rock.

Note that heads should always be checked for cracks and warping before reinstalling.
ESPECIALLY if they're off to fix a block head gasket.
It'll cost you $40 or so to have the pair checked at a shop, but it will save you many hours + materials of having to do it all over again.

[JAKEJR]

96 LT1 Vette.

Heads are new Dart Pro 1s but have 58cc chambers. Looking to get back the few ccs I'd be losing in order to keep CR about the same as it is now.

Thanks for all the responses.

Jake

West Point ROCKS!

[My95Z]

This is for the torque monster engine you're building for your son, right?

You could always have the heads shaved a few thousands, if you didn't order new pushrods already.

[JAKEJR]

This is for the torque monster engine you're building for your son, right?

You could always have the heads shaved a few thousands, if you didn't order new pushrods already.

Yes, it's for my son's 96 LT1; great memory.

Chamber difference is only 3.6cc, so rather than shoulder the expense of surfacing, I thought I'd just go with thinner head gaskets to accomplish the same thing.

To me, it's really no BIGGIE, but since I have to buy HGs anyway, I figured why not try to keep the CR the same or close to it.

Jake

West Point ROCKS!

[AChotrod]

cool thing about LT1s is they have more head bolts than a LS1 or Ford 5.0, I think they have 10bolts and we have 15 per side. = less blow outs!

[Ninety5PoloZ]

I ran impalla gaskets on my motor when it came out for new rings and they lasted for about 5 minutes and then I blew them. Heads and block were clean. The heads were inspected and cleaned less than 500 miles before the impalla gaskets. I pulled the heads back off and #7 cylinder was completely blown out.

I went back to the felpro permatorque head gaskets and haven't had a problem since. And I'm running quite a bit of compression :D

[AChotrod]

oh and Im running MR G 5716s they are the thinnest you can get, without a prob yet.

[JAKEJR]

I ran impalla gaskets on my motor when it came out for new rings and they lasted for about 5 minutes and then I blew them. Heads and block were clean. The heads were inspected and cleaned less than 500 miles before the impalla gaskets. I pulled the heads back off and #7 cylinder was completely blown out.

I went back to the felpro permatorque head gaskets and haven't had a problem since. And I'm running quite a bit of compression :D

How much is ". . . quite a bit . . ."?

Jake

West Point ROCKS!

[Ninety5PoloZ]

How much is ". . . quite a bit . . ."?

Jake

West Point ROCKS!

With decked block and shaved heads I'd say 12:1 compression or so

[JAKEJR]

With decked block and shaved heads I'd say 12:1 compression or so

Thanks for that info.

BTW, I posted this same question on several other sites and the responses were positive, so I bought a pair.

Jake

West Point ROCKS!

[enjoi355]

so you can run those mr gasket 5716s?? it doesnt matter that they say they are for steel headed engines??

[AChotrod]

It only says that since they were meant for Impala's just like the impala stock gaskets are .029 and work great on all LT1s

[ksmyss]

i have had the mr. gaskets in my car for 2 years now.

[enjoi355]

nice! thanks guys