Checking New Head Gasket Thickness

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greers85
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Checking New Head Gasket Thickness

Post by greers85 »

I need a little help making sure I have the correct head gasket (.043 MLS). I am having trouble verifying the thickness to make sure this is correct. I have the Fel Pro 26211PT.

Any help verifying this or telling me the correct gasket I should purchase would be great. I may be reading my calipers wrong so telling me where to properly take my measurements would be great too!
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Re: Checking New Head Gasket Thickness

Post by Cheromaniac »

The head gasket thickness quoted by manufacturers is the expected thickness after it's been compressed. That particular MLS gasket is quoted to have a bore of 3.990" and a compressed thickness of 0.040".
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greers85
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Re: Checking New Head Gasket Thickness

Post by greers85 »

Ok, so this one when compressed will be incorrect. Where should I be purchasing the gasket so that I can guarantee the .043 that I need?
Brianj5600
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Re: Checking New Head Gasket Thickness

Post by Brianj5600 »

Is 0.003" thinner gasket a problem? It makes almost no difference in compression. Is your quench borderline tight?
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Re: Checking New Head Gasket Thickness

Post by Cheromaniac »

Brianj5600 wrote: December 1st, 2021, 10:06 pm Is 0.003" thinner gasket a problem? It makes almost no difference in compression. Is your quench borderline tight?
What he said. The 0.003" difference in head gasket thickness is far too small to worry about.
1992 XJ 4.6 I6 - 5MT - Stroker build-up, Stroker "recipes" Sold
1995 Mustang GT - 4AT - Modded Sold
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greers85
Where's the "any" key?
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Posts: 20
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Re: Checking New Head Gasket Thickness

Post by greers85 »

Brianj5600 wrote: December 1st, 2021, 10:06 pm Is 0.003" thinner gasket a problem? It makes almost no difference in compression. Is your quench borderline tight?
That is what I found out from Cometic. They offer a .045 and say there will be no effect on compression. However yes my machinist was concerned that anything less would potentially be too tight. So .045 it is.
Brianj5600
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Re: Checking New Head Gasket Thickness

Post by Brianj5600 »

What quench is your machinist shooting for?
greers85
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Re: Checking New Head Gasket Thickness

Post by greers85 »

Brianj5600 wrote: December 6th, 2021, 2:22 pm What quench is your machinist shooting for?
I will need to double check with them to make sure. My machinist knew that i was shooting for a 9.57:1 compression running 91 octane, in order to do that Russ suggested the .043 MLS. That is the specs i used to communicate the needs to the shop. The only information i received (probably didn't ask enough questions or all the right ones) is that I could go as low as a .040 but that was as thin as they would recommend.

I do not have a head yet, am i jumping the gun on the gasket without it? I am new to being this deep into a motor so any suggestions or caution while i can still course correct would be awesome.

What I have so far:
Hot Tank and Mag
Bored and Honed for Russ's RaceTech Pistons 30 over
Scat Crank and Rods
Balanced the Assembly
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