Head gasket question.

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Jul 23, 2009 | 04:52 PM

OddballLt1

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Head gasket question.

Im going to be swapping my stock rockers for Promag's. Im going to pull the heads off when I put the new springs on Comp918's. Anyway, Ive been thinking of going to a slightly thinner head gasket to bump the compression. Will this cause PTV issues on a stock cam, with 1.6 rockers? Im looking into an Impala gasket or something close to it. Any susggestions?

Jul 23, 2009 | 05:24 PM

z_speedfreak

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From: limbo

you'll be fine clearance wise, but thats allot of extra work just to swap HG's

Jul 23, 2009 | 05:27 PM

ss.slp.ls1

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Unless you have a blown head gasket or are in need of a valve job badly, I would leave the heads right where they are and just do the spring swap in car and install the rr's. You can only expect like a 2% overall gain with the thinner Impala head gaskets. Not worth the effort if you ask me unless you are having your heads ported...

Jul 24, 2009 | 01:31 PM

OddballLt1

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Good point, What valve spring removal tool do you recommend. Im using 918 springs if that matters.

Jul 24, 2009 | 01:38 PM

ss.slp.ls1

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Quote:

Originally Posted by OddballLt1

Good point, What valve spring removal tool do you recommend. Im using 918 springs if that matters.

I use the crane valve spring tool. I think they make them for LT1's too. Mine was made to work on LS1's, but I modified it to work on both LS1's and LT1's. If you can't find the Crane tool, search this board for Tim's tool. Cheap and it works.

Jul 24, 2009 | 02:51 PM

z_speedfreak

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Quote:

Originally Posted by ss.slp.ls1

wait a min, do we(LT1's) need a specialized spring compressor? my buddy was gonna borrow one from his work(a toyota dealership)...will it work?

Jul 24, 2009 | 04:02 PM

ss.slp.ls1

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Quote:

Originally Posted by z_speedfreak

wait a min, do we(LT1's) need a specialized spring compressor? my buddy was gonna borrow one from his work(a toyota dealership)...will it work?

The Crane tool I bought long ago has holes for cap screws taht will screw into LS1 heads. The LT1 studs are not only larger in diameter, but the spacing is slightly different, so the tool I have wouldn't work on LT1's. so I had my machinist friend open up the holes and widen them to the center a little so that I can use them on LS1 heads and LT1 heads. They make a Crane spring tool for LT1's and one for LS1's...now I have one that works on both.