I have a 99 trans am and over the weekend I am going to be doing a head gasket replacement. I am wanting to mill the heads . 030 but I'm afraid out might conflict with my cam. what do you guys think? cam specs are .220 .228 .598 .598 with a 114lsa.

 

With that cam you should be good

 

should be? Lol just trying to make sure. thanks.

 

It's a pretty mild cam by today's standards. As HCI2000SS said, there should be plenty of room left if you are going to be using stock gaskets as replacements. While you have the heads off I would suggest replacing the lifters and trays. And if you have the cash and time some hardened pushrods and rocker trunion upgrade are always good to do as well.

 

thanks for a second opinion. I'm starting to feel comfortable with it. just out of curiosity, how are the fel pro gaskets? bad idea?

 

Fel-Pro is fine. I would suggest an MLS gasket as opposed to the stock graphite crap that it came from the factory with. I am currently running Victor Reinz 54442 gaskets on my stock 853s that I picked up from Rock Auto. Although most sponsors here should sell stock GM MLS gaskets.

The only thing you will need to pay attention to however is if you have 853 heads, some of them have a notch on the head and if yours have this, you will have to make sure whatever gasket you use has the provision for that notch or else you will end up leaking coolant all over the place.

Here is a pic I found of some 853 heads. The top one has the notch I was referring to and the bottom one does not.

 

As the others have already said, you should be good on clearancing with this cam. Its fairly mild and there should be plenty of room left even after the milling.

 

alright thanks guys. I'll keep a look out for that notch. I was looking today and I don't think the felpro are mls so a trip to the dealership will be in my forecast.

 

The stealership will likely rip you off on the price. Tick has them for $35 a pair. http://www.tickperformance.com/gm-mu...ad-gasket-set/

Also, don't forget that the head bolts are single use so you will need a new set of those or you could opt for the ARP re-usable bolts if you think you will ever be taking the heads off again in the future.

 

I'll be ordering from tick. Lol and yea I didn't think about that. looks like I'll be getting arps also.