GM head gasket differences: 01-prior and 02-newer
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From: Rockland County, NY
GM head gasket differences: 01-prior and 02-newer GM has these part #'s
12498544 - 2002 and later LS1/LS6 Cylinder Head gaskets (2-per pkg)
12498543 - 2001 & prior LS1/LS6 Cylinder Head gaskets (2-per pkg)
Take an 01 and an 02 LS1 head. They are both 241 castings yet use different head gaskets
Are these part #'s interchangeable? I need to know if it would be alright to use the 544 gasket on an 01 LS1 head?
12498544 - 2002 and later LS1/LS6 Cylinder Head gaskets (2-per pkg)
12498543 - 2001 & prior LS1/LS6 Cylinder Head gaskets (2-per pkg)
Take an 01 and an 02 LS1 head. They are both 241 castings yet use different head gaskets
Are these part #'s interchangeable? I need to know if it would be alright to use the 544 gasket on an 01 LS1 head?
Re: GM head gasket differences: 01-prior and 02-newer Absolutely fine to use the early style gaskets. That is what I use on my '02 motor. They are a composite gasket, compared to MLS style for the 2001 and newer models.
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From: SW Florida
Re: GM head gasket differences: 01-prior and 02-newer You can get a set of the graphite style gaskets from Scoggin-Dickey as P/N 12498543. They are $34.95 for the set
This set includes: Gasket P/N 12558809 (Lft side) & Gasket P/N 12558810 (Rt side)
These graphite style head gaskets can be used on all year models.
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They also sell the 2002 multi-layered shim style gaskets in a set too under P/N 12498544. They are $24.25 for the set. BTW, this type are interchangable from right to left head. They [cannot] be used on the 97-98 (and maybe some 99) heads that have the "witness" notch cast into them.
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I talked to Geoff at Thunder Racing a while back, and he said only about 1/2 of the 2002s that came in for head work had the new style gaskets. So, it appears to be hit and miss with these on the 2002s. Personally, I would use the graphite gaskets. Thats just my opinion...
Ron,
This set includes: Gasket P/N 12558809 (Lft side) & Gasket P/N 12558810 (Rt side)
These graphite style head gaskets can be used on all year models.
_____________________________
They also sell the 2002 multi-layered shim style gaskets in a set too under P/N 12498544. They are $24.25 for the set. BTW, this type are interchangable from right to left head. They [cannot] be used on the 97-98 (and maybe some 99) heads that have the "witness" notch cast into them.
_____________________________
I talked to Geoff at Thunder Racing a while back, and he said only about 1/2 of the 2002s that came in for head work had the new style gaskets. So, it appears to be hit and miss with these on the 2002s. Personally, I would use the graphite gaskets. Thats just my opinion...
Ron,
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Re: GM head gasket differences: 01-prior and 02-newer The 97-98 (806 casting) heads are the only heads that absolutely need the older style gaskets. The 99+ heads can use either as LOnSLO said.
Re: GM head gasket differences: 01-prior and 02-newer
The 97-98 (806 casting) heads are the only heads that absolutely need the older style gaskets. The 99+ heads can use either as LOnSLO said.
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From: SW Florida
Re: GM head gasket differences: 01-prior and 02-newer The info below was originaly supplied by SDPC:
This picture is looking at the deck surface of the 1997-1998 LS1 cylinder head (#853 casting) and a 2001-03 6.0L head (#317 casting). If you will notice, the red arrow indicates the recessed area of the casting that is located on the deck surface of the 1997-1998 cylinder heads. This recess would be located directly below the #3 and the #6 cylinder bore when the heads are installed on the engine. To the best of our knowledge, all the 97-98 heads have this recess and it is possible some 99’s may have had the 853 casting with this recess. The 1999-03 LS1’s have casting number 241 and the deck surface is identical to the 6.0L in the photograph – no recess on the deck.
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BTW, the LS1/LS6 heads are interchangable between the right and left head, so this notch will be seen on both heads (if you have this style). Remember.. With this notch > use [only] the graphite style gaskets!
Ron,
This picture is looking at the deck surface of the 1997-1998 LS1 cylinder head (#853 casting) and a 2001-03 6.0L head (#317 casting). If you will notice, the red arrow indicates the recessed area of the casting that is located on the deck surface of the 1997-1998 cylinder heads. This recess would be located directly below the #3 and the #6 cylinder bore when the heads are installed on the engine. To the best of our knowledge, all the 97-98 heads have this recess and it is possible some 99’s may have had the 853 casting with this recess. The 1999-03 LS1’s have casting number 241 and the deck surface is identical to the 6.0L in the photograph – no recess on the deck.
__________________________________________________
BTW, the LS1/LS6 heads are interchangable between the right and left head, so this notch will be seen on both heads (if you have this style). Remember.. With this notch > use [only] the graphite style gaskets!
Ron,
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From: SW Florida
Re: GM head gasket differences: 01-prior and 02-newer 
Graphite style gasket
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If you will notice as indicated by the red arrow on the steel shim head gasket (lower picture), that the Teflon imprint is located directly in the contact path of the recess that is positioned on the 1997-98 LS1 cylinder heads. This Teflon imprint makes-up approximately 0.005” to 0.006” of the compressed thickness of the gasket. When you use this gasket on the 97-98 cylinder head with the notch (recess), there is nothing to seal the Teflon imprint in this area. Water can leak from the adjacent small water passages located just above the head bolt holes on this cylinder.
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From: olathe, ks
Re: GM head gasket differences: 01-prior and 02-newer I think the new metal [sandwich] gaskets are nice.
It would have to cut down on R&R headwork. There is so much less crap to scrape off of the block.
It would have to cut down on R&R headwork. There is so much less crap to scrape off of the block.
