CamTom12

iTrader: (1)

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?

CamTom12

iTrader: (1)

Anybody?

shortdog

iTrader: (1)

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 $$$$.

CamTom12

iTrader: (1)

Had any issues with them sealing?

2001CamaroGuy

iTrader: (6)

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 ).

pdd

iTrader: (3)

wow-thats close

DanZ28

iTrader: (5)

.018", is that an MLS gasket? Cometic told me .027" was the thinnest MLS they made when I bought mine.

Dan

2001CamaroGuy

iTrader: (6)

my bad....0.027"....I was LOOKING TO GET an 0.018" so that number has somehow become stuck in my head....

I'm finding that the block grows about 0.005"-0.007"

TATER

Well, you could keep the same MLA gasket and shave the heads.

CamTom12

iTrader: (1)

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?

DAVESS02

iTrader: (30)

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?

2001CamaroGuy

iTrader: (6)

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).

2001CamaroGuy

iTrader: (6)

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).

CamTom12

iTrader: (1)

Pretty sure it's .008 out of the hole

DanZ28

iTrader: (5)

With .008 out of the hole, I don't know if i would use .027" unless you have some valve reliefs with that cam. I shot for a .030-.035 quench myself, but my pistons are in the hole .008". You might want to shoot for a .040" gasket if your sure there would be no clearance issues (PTV).

Also, your CR will change with a different thickness gasket, so keep that in mind as well.

Dan

CamTom12

iTrader: (1)

Yeah, after talking over with Pat G (sort of) I'm going to go with a .040 cometic

Thanks for all the help!

hammertime

iTrader: (1)

If the gasket remains the same, the quench will not change. The volume of the chamber will decrease and raise the compression, but you will not get the detonation resistance that a tighter quench volume achieves.