sbc head gaskets

[cak1983]

My question is what is the best head gasket to run when using aluminum heads on 11:1 comp sbc.I had felpro 1003 .38 thick comp. but I read alot of older post that talk about the mr gasket steel part #1130 18-20 comp. for more quench.what is quench? and what does it do for air boat appllication?

 

[cak1983]

come on guys, nothing?

 

[Joe]

The quench as explained to me is the distance between the top of the piston and the head,tightening the quench can help by adding comp.and reducing the risk of detonation,but to tite can lead to piston to valve contact. Did you zero deck the pistons in the block or are the down in the cyl a little?or do the protrude a bit,pop up? All this makes a huge diff in the thickness you want,probably the reason no one responded,the way you asked it`s kinda a loaded question with out more info. Oh and the cam play`s a roll but I`m not that advanced to get in to that :lol:

 

[cak1983]

I will set the heads on with fueler gauge and use modeling clay to see how much of clearance i have.what would be the optimum clearence? I see your point

 

[NorthWestFloridaBoy]

if your talking about the steel shim thin gasket I don't think it is for use with aluminum heads. I have one on mine with iron heads. I emailed mr.gasket and asked about using a sealer and they told me to use no sealer and asked which heads I was using, told them and they said ok just dont use it with aluminum heads.

 

[cak1983]

glad I asked thanks

 

[Joe]

If your pistons come all the way up to the top of the block,that is zero deck,and your gasket will set the quench

 

[Airjack]

I have always used the Fel-Pro 375-1003, 041 gaskets. They have never failed me even with the high cylinder pressures from nitrous. Just remember, once you use them its hard to switch to another style because of the indentation the metal ring can leave in the aluminum head.