JustAFooL

iTrader: (45)

My winter project is coming closer and I'm trying to get all my thoughts together before I start turning the wrenches.. So, when checking the clearance, should I just use the old, factory head gasket as to not waste my new one?? If so, just take away the difference of the factory head gasket compared to my .041 Mel's??

JustAFooL

iTrader: (45)

Mls**

msydow

see if someone local to you has one they already pulled off. i have a couple sets of GM MLS gaskets but i thought the were like .053" or something. are yours cometic?

bww3588

iTrader: (49)

No reason to use a head gasket. Put the head on and loosely bolt it down. Add your gasket thickness in later.

G Engines

You can torque your new gaskets down check your P/V remove it and reuse the gasket it wont hurt a thing.

RezinTexas

for mine I installed 3 studs and torqued by hand to 5~10 ft-lb. the gasket wasn't compressed fully, but if you're at the point where a few thousands makes a difference you've got bigger problems.

JustAFooL

iTrader: (45)

So far, I've got 3 different answers. Use old head gasket, don't use head gasket, and just don't torque the new one tight.. lol. Thanks for the responses though guys, I'll keep all in mind. Once I get some more answers on this subject, I'll come back to it.. But, I've also got another question..

The heads are Patriot stage 2 243's milled to 59cc. Looking for some good compression on this motor. Currently running a Comp224/230, .581, 114lsa. Thinkin of going to a little bigger cam though, biggest being MS3. I'm already worried about clearance being tight on the 224/230, something like the MS3 is probably going to be definate, so whats the most you can fly-cut a piston?

Burken01

iTrader: (88)

buy cometics!! you can torque it down, check ptv and then put them back on and use..

parks450

iTrader: (17)

Use your old ones......you can't compress them any more than they already are when your torquing them to the same specs. Compressed thickness on the stock MLS is .051"

JustAFooL

iTrader: (45)

Thanks parks. I guess that's what I'll do, u guess since I'm going to the thinner gasket, just take another .01 off what I read.. How many cylinders do most people clay??

slinginrods

It depends on the piston really and what the application is.its best to talk to the people that make the pistons.the forum is the place of many bad answers,good ones too.but for this I would be talking to who's making my pistons.they will need to know if it's a stick car,or auto.the rpm range,what type of connecting rod material your using.it all needs to be planned out.also need to degree the cam first then take your measurements.as for the measuring,no gasket needed.you should know the compressed thickness and add it in.

parks450

iTrader: (17)

^ also correct but not really all that is necessary. If you want every ounce of HP then degree you cam in. Most people follow the TDC dot to dot method. I have multiple times with 0 issues. Either way you would be set. I usually do two cylinders just to double check but one is fine. Most shops will NOT tell you if your in the clear, they will all tell you to check for yourself unless its a baby cam and is clearly going to work with no mods.

For instance Someone posted a few months ago about can clearance. Like usual you have people who said he would be just fine, then you have people like me who tell people to always check as it only take and hr time or less. Well guess what??? He ended up smacking his valves on the piston because he didn't check.... Then was pissed at everyone else. Sorry our own fault buddy.... No remorse what so ever, don't be lazy.

parks450

iTrader: (17)

As to answer your second question, yes just subtract that amount away. You don't have to use a gasket but you really can't mess your calculations of doing it that way. If you mess up by a decimal point trying to add and subtract your f%}¥ed. Just alittle easier to use the gasket.

JustAFooL

iTrader: (45)

The pistons are still factory, and won't be touched. I'm not really afraid to fly cut if I have to as I have a friend who just did his own and it turned out pretty well. This is the first time I'll be trying to do a build on my own so I'm nervous and anxious at the same time.. Anyone have any suggestions on changing cams or not though?? I really love the 224/230 but hate the fact its on a 114, I want to be able to hear a car if its built. Would love to go to a bigger cam but once again just don't know how much one is able to fly cut without causing harm..

dr_whigham

iTrader: (49)

.125 is the MAX.

Worth the read.....

https://ls1tech.com/forums/generatio...ut-safely.html
^^Has pictures for a better visual^^

https://ls1tech.com/forums/generatio...k-pistons.html

Sales2@Texas-speed

iTrader: (5)

Either of the above answers is correct. You can go without the gasket and add the thickness in, or just re-use the gasket and you'll be fine!

badazz81z28

iTrader: (6)

I would use an old gasket (Which I did). I like to minimize risk....I know re-using a new gasket is low risk, but why chance it...

chrisfrost

iTrader: (8)

"Generally" speaking , duration is what usually determines the need to fly cut or not ,,,,,,,,as far as knowing there's a cam in You're engine ,,,,,that would be mostly the LSA ,,,so a cam with the same lift and duration as You're cam with say a 110 or 111 lsa would give it that choppy idle that sounds like a built street motor .

JustAFooL

iTrader: (45)

Ya, I know lsa is where you get the majority of your idle from; and also that duration is what causes clearance problems. If there was a way to manipulate my tune to drop the idle more, I would. I'm more concerned with performance as sound, but everyone likes a hard hittin car.

Che70velle

iTrader: (6)

I am no tuner, and don't pretend to be. I use Vengeance for my tuning needs.
I was told that you could "manipulate" your idle, up or down in the tune.
Maybe yes? Maybe no? Any tuners out there?