What head gasket are you using???

[Clever Gs-t]

I'm in the final stages of my engine build. I was wanting to know what brand of headgasket has been working for high boost applications? I will be using a head stud combination with the higher grade head gasket.
Thanks

 

[thereef]

I'm running a fel-pro composite with copper spray, per several recommendations. I've heard people lean both ways on the copper spray.

 

[1fastlaser]

How many pounds of boost you are running has nothing to do with what a gasket will hold. I ran 30psi on a gt42 on a straight felpro composite on straight 93. Cylinder pressure kills gaskets. If the head bolts can't handle it the head is going to lift. Typically there is a issue to why a gasket pops.

 

[Archer Fabrications]

felpro permatorque MLS works great so far ive run 28psi a few times with no issues.. daily drive at 23psi on a scm6152

 

[MY1GDSM]

How many pounds of boost you are running has nothing to do with what a gasket will hold. I ran 30psi on a gt42 on a straight felpro composite on straight 93. Cylinder pressure kills gaskets. If the head bolts can't handle it the head is going to lift. Typically there is a issue to why a gasket pops.

True

I'm not sure if you directed that at me or not. Either way I guess I should have elaborated on what I was trying to say..

But I'm aware of this and I'm sure you are as well...

The problem is the way I see it. The margin of error when at those boost levels is going to be very finite compared to at lower levels something goes wrong or the tune isn't spot on(not that many people that can post in this forum will be able too) your going to be seeing some crazy Cylinder pressures. Add that to you already getting to the limits of a fasteners strength,and hence why I recommended stronger fasteners. Is that going to stop it from popping a gasket? No But IMO even if not directly relate to your boost level it is something to take into consideration... .

 

[92AWDHX40]

Again what are your goals as well? Any job done incorrectly will cause a failure somewhere.

 

[1fastlaser]

Oh yeah stronger fasteners all the way if the pockets can handle the price. I just went to l19s on my new motor. Old motor was a o-ringed head oem composite standard arps 2.4 gt42 running 30ish on pump has and had seen upwards of 36psi. If you keep the cylinder pressure in control, and the air temps good stuff like that is possible. I could have ran lower boost and more timing but the motor liked this.

 

[Clever Gs-t]

The goal is to be in the 550 whp range while being a driver on occation. I have the machine work done already. Block is decked and the head was resurfaced by a mill not a sander. I had to pay extra for that. I just want the most reliable head gasket that has been tested by the guys on the forum. All the input has been greatly apreciated.

 

[BogusSVO]

Clever Post pics of the machine work. I wanna see!

 

[Clever Gs-t]

What type of pics do you want to see? I had the block decked, head bolt threads retapped for 12mm studs, and the Head was milled flat. Well thats what the machinist receipt said anyways.

 

[BogusSVO]

What type of pics do you want to see? I had the block decked, head bolt threads retapped for 12mm studs, and the Head was milled flat. Well thats what the machinist receipt said anyways.

The surfaces of the block and head.

I want to see if I can name the type of equipment used.

 

[Clever Gs-t]

So the machine marks? But I'm pretty sure they were both machined on a verticle milling machine. Brand name was Grizzly, model number G9902 to be more specific. But I think I can Get some pretty good pics if you want them.

 

[BogusSVO]

One of these???//

G9902 9" x 49" Vertical Mill w/ Power Feed & Single-Phase

Did it cut it in one pass? from intake to exhaust side? How wide was the cutter?

That machine is more for industral machine work, or used in machine shops to fly cut pistons.

Yes I really want to see the machine marks now.....

 

[Clever Gs-t]

Am missing something with this conversation????? I actually used to work for Grizzly Industrial Tool in Springfield, Mo. The G9902 is more than capable to cut Flat surfaces on an engine block or cylinder head with the proper mounting jig. But I do not beleive that the process could take only 1 pass. It would take a much larger machine and larger machine shop to accomplish this task. But I will be more than happy to take pictures in the morning and post them.

 

[BogusSVO]

If the grizzly had to go down one side the up the other, that would be a 2 pass set up.
It will leave a "parting line" and if it is off .0005-.001 then there could be gasket sealing issues with a MLS gasket.

I will agree with a larger machine, but not a larger machine shop.

This is the one I use to surface heads and blocks....
Auto I 1000 CBN Surfacer

 

[Clever Gs-t]

I get it now
You are a machinest. arent you? That explaines the direct comment approach. I apolagize if I came across wrong.
I'm a large equiptment diesel mechanic by trade and have been doing it for over 13 years. I know nothing of machine work, but I do know its under rated and at times way more important than the part itself.

 

[BogusSVO]

Yes I am a machinist.

I post a fair bit about machine work, and what to look for and what to stay away from.

I have done little diesel machine work, to heavy and nasty...

Hope your build goes well!

 

[J_HEATH]

Let me explain what I ment. After I got my block and head back from the machine shop it did not have a smooth finish after being decked. Now I've done this several times with no issue, I just used some 2k grit sandpaper and a sanding block to smooth the finish out so the MLS will seal properly.

 

[MY1GDSM]

Let me explain what I ment. After I got my block and head back from the machine shop it did not have a smooth finish after being decked. Now I've done this several times with no issue, I just used some 2k grit sandpaper and a sanding block to smooth the finish out so the MLS will seal properly.

I wouldn't have left the shop with it unless it had a mirror finish... But that's just me.

 

[BogusSVO]

J-heath What did they surface the deck with?

 

[Boomdeeze]

I used a cometic HG with standard ARP head studs and just blew my HG yesterday. Was boosting 30 psi and revving out to 8.5k. I am now going to get the l19's with a cometic and see if how it handles.

 

[MY1GDSM]

What does your tune look like? and Was your block decked and head surfaced properly?

 

[Boomdeeze]

What does your tune look like? and Was your block decked and head surfaced properly?

Both my head and block were decked properly and I just recently got it professionally tuned. It did go through a few different setups and the first one being tuned by myself on 25 psi, that could have been where the HG took a beating. I am now on e85 and my tune is good so I know its not the tune now.

 

[J_HEATH]

J-heath What did they surface the deck with?

I'd be lying if i told you anything, I'm not really sure. I've got a build thread going, you can check out the short block and head in pics on there.