Which Head Gaskets?

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Apr 16, 2017 | 07:26 PM

$$$$

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Which Head Gaskets?

I am finishing up a 383 LS build and looking for head gasket advice. What does everyone recommend. Engine will have CNC ported 243s on top.

Thanks!

Apr 16, 2017 | 08:05 PM

Tuskyz28

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Not enough detail for nobody to help you out.
Pump gas ?
Have the heads been milled any?
What pistons you using ?

Apr 16, 2017 | 09:49 PM

$$$$

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Sorry about that. Here are some more details.

Yes, 93 pump gas primarily.

Not sure on amount heads were milled, I assume very little. They are 243 casting heads ported by Frankenstein a year or so back.

Pistons are Mahle. They do have valve reliefs, but I don't recall the exact -cc amount. I believe they were the closest to being flat top though when I had my engine builder order / install them. I hope this helps clear things up a bit. I can take some pics if necessary.

Thanks again!

Apr 16, 2017 | 10:59 PM

Tuskyz28

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Quote:

Originally Posted by $$$$

It really doesn't clear things up any at all. The valve relief could be -3 or could be more....
Milling the heads go make a difference also on what thickness head gasket you'll want/need to get the compression you want for your motor.

Apr 17, 2017 | 12:06 AM

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This has been an ongoing project which I have switched parts and paths on a few times since it has been sitting taken apart. I had these heads done before choosing to pull the motor and go the 383 path. At that time I was attempting to go about as high of compression as I could on pump gas. So I think I remember being told these heads would have put me at about 11.7 : 1 on the stock LS1 motor / pistons. So in that case the stock 243 combustion chamber is 64cc, I assume these may be 62-62.5 cc .... So I feel like stock thickness head gaskets may be a conservative approach considering a tiny bump in compression from the decking, and slight decrease in compression from the valve reliefs? What brand / material if that is the case, would be optimal?

Any additional ideas or advice would be appreciated.

Thanks

Apr 17, 2017 | 03:13 PM

.boB

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Never used head gaskets to adjust compression. The tiny amount of change you get won't matter.

However, you should use the head gaskets to set piston quench. A tiny change here can make a big difference in efficiency and performance. You'll need to know piston to deck height to know which gasket to use.