Getting ready to spec out a new setup and the builder asked if I wanted the block O ringed. I probably won't be going any higher then 20 psi. I've heard of leaking problems with O rings. What's everyone's opinion?

 

Had O ringed heads once, had a bitch of a time finding head gaskets that would work with the O-rings.

Better off with 6 bolt setup.

 

You dont o-ring the block anyway, you put the wire ring in the head and a reciever groove in the block. If you have it done by shop that has experience doing it before and you use the right gasket you wont have any problems.

 

I probably wouldn't do it again

 

I run 19 psi with 93 octane with the MLS 6.0 gaskets.

 

I don't do it anymore unless I am building a car with obscene amounts of cylinder pressure. With todays head gasket technology it is my contention that a car that is used for more than track duty only is better off using the head gasket as a relief valve.

Jim C.

 

I've seen some people make over 20 lbs on stock head gaskets with success. I've had head gasket problems and I just oringed mine. I have about 300 miles on it and I'm about to go to the track for the first time to see how they are holding up. I would ring the block or run the new LSx block.

 

This is exactly what im doing.....

I was pushing a lil water at 20 psi... finally blew both gaskets on my last outing..... doing above now....

 

My first choice would be the 6-bolt head/bolt setup, then o-ringed heads.

Keith

 

I o-ringed the heads.. left the block alone and use graphite fel-pros.. I did burn through at 23 lbs, but I detonated and there was a small dent in the fire ring that may have been the cause.. other than that.. never an issue.

 

I don't understand why more people haven't tried this. It gives you the best of both worlds. Cold fluid sealability and a killer combustion seal.

 

I have the same setup, except I am on the GM graphite gaskets. Does Fel-Pro make 4.030-6.0l gasket?

 

My Block is o-ringed and will be running Titan SCE gaskets and Huge Head Studs, do it right the first time and you won't have to worry about it in the future. I rather have to worry about filling up the coolant every week or so than blowing through head gaskets but thats just me.

 

In response to Alex... I have had 3 kits on this motor without losing coolant... Again..I blew a gasket.. on pump gas and 23lbs... overboosted but had to win the race...I won... but it came at a cost...but it was worth it. I think it depends on desired power level and dedication... i, by no means , suggest mine is the best way... but it works.
In the end though, Alex is right.

 

Did you decide to keep the motor Alex?

 

What about these Cometic Phuzion gaskets ?

Are they any use ? anyone tried them ?

 

Yeah, LASTLS1 had them on his car and they completely disentegrated between all the cylinders (where they are thin).

We also tried the Titan ICS on our shop car and they pushed out and deformed with only 14psi boost, 16deg timing, 116 octane (850rwhp). We just have GM mls on there now and it's been fine.

 

It does seem so strange.

Why do these companies go to all the bother of designing, what looks to be an innovative and good gasket design, only for them to turn out crap in reality ?

A small few seem to have some luck with them ( unless we are only hearing the bad stories ??? )
But the only reports tend to be bad ones.

 

I don't think we were the only ones with problems with either gasket.

SCE told us they were going to stop production on the LS1 ICS gaskets because of how many problems they have had. (not sure if that happened but that's what we were told).

 

are the Cometic MLS gaskets any good? If not what would you use?