I just checked my ptv last night and have a quick question maybe someone can relax my nerves lol. My heads are milled and I also want to run .040 gasket. (Already ordered and on the way). I used the stock 03 5.3 head gasket that came off motor to check ptv, degree wheel, checker springs, and dial indicator set on the retainer. My tightest spots that I have are intake = .094 and exhaust = .112, I no minimum recommendation is .080 and .100, my question is this was with the stock gasket, going to the cometic .040 gasket how much clerence will I loose? With my measurements is it safe to run the .040? I read a couple old threads and it seems I should b fine even if I went a little closer then the recommended .080? Thank you guys I would like to run the .040 instead of returning it

 

Anyone?

 

You will loose around .011"

The comectic is .040" compressed and the MLS is .051"

My opinion is you'll be fine.

 

Thank you I think ima just run them

 

Here's what I did. If you take the stock MLS gasket (your old one) and remove one outer thin layer, the remaining gasket is right at 0.040" or maybe 0.041" (can't remember). Then I did my measurements.

However, you seem to have enough clearance so you may not want to go through the effort to remeasure. Exhaust is more critical because the valve spring is closing the valve whereas the intake the valve is chasing the piston on open and you can get by a little tighter than the 0.080" recommendation.

If you decide to recheck, try drilling out the small rivets holding the old gasket together and see what three layers provide for thickness.

 

Yea the more I reserch the more comfortable I feel. If I have .094 intake and .112 exhaust, then with the cometic .040 I ordered from tsp. I Should loose around .011 with gasket. So I would be at around .083 intake and .101 exhaust. Close but still respectable clearence. I should b fine? I may just re measure with the cometic .040 cause Im sure I'm going to run them