Head Gasket question, lowering quench...
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From: Clarksville, TN
Head Gasket question, lowering quench... I've got a stock '02 shortblock and some PRC stg 2.5 5.3l heads with some slightly leaky GM stock MLS head gaskets (I think. Pulling the heads this week to find out for sure).
I'm fixing to drop in an LSK lobed cam (227/235 .639/646 110+2) and was wondering what ya'll thought about my different options for head gaskets.
I'm a big fan of the MLS style because of their cleanliness on removal, but honestly this should - barring any future issues - be the last time I pull these heads before I build my stroker on a different block.
Any opinions on which gasket I should use?
I'm fixing to drop in an LSK lobed cam (227/235 .639/646 110+2) and was wondering what ya'll thought about my different options for head gaskets.
I'm a big fan of the MLS style because of their cleanliness on removal, but honestly this should - barring any future issues - be the last time I pull these heads before I build my stroker on a different block.
Any opinions on which gasket I should use?
First, HOPE it's the head gaskets causing the leak and nothing else. If you want to lower your quench and stick with MLS gaskets, cometics are your only option which are $$$$.
not in the least....have had my heads on and off at least 10 times playing with different things and they still lock down just fine. I have 0.018" thick cometics (said they couldn't make a thinner gasket than that 
).
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Thread Starter
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From: Clarksville, TN
I've already got some small CC's, I'm really just looking to tighten up my quench as I'm happy with my comp. ratio for this motor
So my quench would be good with a .027 gasket?
So my quench would be good with a .027 gasket?
I learned the hard way, no matter what you use, retorque them AFTER heat cycling them. I bought felpro 1041's and wrongly assumed they were permatorque types. I've since learned though, ALL of the aftermarkets need heat cycled and retorqued. Maybe someone else could comment on the stockers FWIW even though you're not using them?
Originally Posted by CamTom12
I've already got some small CC's, I'm really just looking to tighten up my quench as I'm happy with my comp. ratio for this motor
So my quench would be good with a .027 gasket?
So my quench would be good with a .027 gasket?
you really need to know what the piston/deck height is......
I personally built my engine to be EXACTLY 0.000" deck height (when cold) and thus whatever my gasket thickness and block growth come out to gives me my quench.
If I'm not mistaken, the stock short block had a higher than 0.000" deck height (the piston sticks out of the bore).
Originally Posted by DAVESS02
I learned the hard way, no matter what you use, retorque them AFTER heat cycling them. I bought felpro 1041's and wrongly assumed they were permatorque types. I've since learned though, ALL of the aftermarkets need heat cycled and retorqued. Maybe someone else could comment on the stockers FWIW even though you're not using them?
I have never had to retorque my gaskets (either with stock gaskets for Head/Cam or now my cometics with the big bore). Have torqued them down "right" the first time and never had an issue (though I admit this is my lazy butt not wanting to pull crap back apart to retorque).
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From: Clarksville, TN
Originally Posted by 2001CamaroGuy
you really need to know what the piston/deck height is......
I personally built my engine to be EXACTLY 0.000" deck height (when cold) and thus whatever my gasket thickness and block growth come out to gives me my quench.
If I'm not mistaken, the stock short block had a higher than 0.000" deck height (the piston sticks out of the bore).
I personally built my engine to be EXACTLY 0.000" deck height (when cold) and thus whatever my gasket thickness and block growth come out to gives me my quench.
If I'm not mistaken, the stock short block had a higher than 0.000" deck height (the piston sticks out of the bore).
Originally Posted by CamTom12
Pretty sure it's .008 out of the hole
Also, your CR will change with a different thickness gasket, so keep that in mind as well.
Dan
Originally Posted by TATER
Well, you could keep the same MLA gasket and shave the heads.
