Cutting a MLS headgasket apart?

[grainofsalt]

Here is my thoughts, The mopar/victor Reinz .043" MLS headgaskets have 3 pieces held together with brass colored rivets. What if I took it apart and just used one of the outer layers? Would using just one of the thinner pieces cause any issues? Or would I want to remove just the middle piece?

Specs on my 4.6 =
1998 undecked block .040 over
KB 944 pistons
stock cam
stock 0630 head, casting flash smoothed out
stock sparkplugs (appear to be a little too cold)
larger lb injectors, 24lb/hr? (don't quite remember off the top of my head)

[SilverXJ]

Both out the outer layers have sealing material on them. I wouldn't go with out one. And I don't know about removing the middle piece as there will be no flat surface for the outer pieces to meet.

[grainofsalt]

Both out the outer layers have sealing material on them. I wouldn't go with out one. And I don't know about removing the middle piece as there will be no flat surface for the outer pieces to meet.

Correct, The outer layers have a seal on both sides, It would appear that one could ditch the middle and one side of the gasket. It looks like it would leave you with a .0055" gasket.

Anyone else have thoughts on this?

[Cheromaniac]

Anyone else have thoughts on this?

Given the fact that tampering with the head gasket could ultimately cause it to leak, and you having to pull the head again to replace it, is it worth the risk?

[SilverXJ]

Cometic makes gaskets for the 4.0l all the way down to .027". http://www.shopengineparts.com/parts.as ... L+Inline+6

[grainofsalt]

You make a good point Cheromaniac, But what is horsepower worth...

Wow silver, 184.20 and up for a gasket, But their .027 would work out better:
It would bump the dynamic compression from 8.17 to 8.44
Static from 9.46 to 9.78.
But the real gain would be quench, .0654 to .0485