Head gasket question

[Mikey_Dsm]

Anybody have any experience using this particular head gasket?

SCE Vulcan Cut-Ring Head Gasket (DSM / Evo)

SCE Vulcan Cut-Ring Head Gasket (DSM / Evo), SCE Gaskets, Cut-Ring, Head Gasket, MLS, Hybrid, Mitsubishi, DSM, Evolution, Evo, Evo 4, Evo 8, Evo 9, Eclipse, Talon, 1G, 2G, 4G63

shop.boostinperformance.com

My cometic mls started to mix oil and coolant recently after having the head and block machined for a fresh rebuild and I’m looking into some different head gaskets.

Currently have standard size super tech valves on the head and for the block wiseco pistons with 8.2:1 compression ratio, bored .020 over with eagle rods and arp head studs and mains. The stock intercooler with a 14b.
Do plan to upgrade everything in the future for 400ish hp. My profile is accurate to what I’m running to.

Don’t know wether to use an oem MLS instead or go with the SCE vulcan because it’s a composite / MLS hybrid that use rings to make sure it seals properly.
Or if I should go with a felpro composite?
I did do some research and I saw good and bad things for all of them

What’s the best option for my power goals?

 

[jed344]

If you already have head gasket failure i would guess either the block or head is warped or not finished to smooth enough RA for the metal layer. A felpro composite will easily handle 400. We have made 600 on them with L19's and mid 500s with regular arp's. The cut ring gasket is good but also requires decking the head anytime its removed as it bites into the head to seal. I would say that gasket is extreme overkill for your build and goals.

 

[Mikey_Dsm]

If you already have head gasket failure i would guess either the block or head is warped or not finished to smooth enough RA for the metal layer. A felpro composite will easily handle 400. We have made 600 on them with L19's and mid 500s with regular arp's. The cut ring gasket is good but also requires decking the head anytime its removed as it bites into the head to seal. I would say that gasket is extreme overkill for your build and goals.

I do plan to test both surfaces for head warpage. Scratched the block surface before installing mls and had it resurfaced to avoid a problem like this.

 

[jed344]

I do plan to test both surfaces for head warpage. Scratched the block surface before installing mls and had it resurfaced to avoid a problem like this.

MLS its not just warp but also the RA. Roughness average. This is essentially how smooth the surface is. Most require a sub 50RA to seal, even if its perfect flat but to rough they will not seal correctly. When you ask the machine shop what RA can the finish the surface too most will say they have no idea and that usually is a red flag. The shop we have been using for a while now gets it sub 20RA. The block is dead smooth nothing catches on nail and you can see rainbow. The rule of thumb i tell people is if you cannot see a rainbow in the light especially on the head then it most then likely will not seal a MLS. Regardless make sure its flat and just use a composite it will handle everything you need and some and they are not fussy on surface finish.