Max power on GM lt1 head gaskets?

squinn · 07-09-2002, 06:08 PM

Do the GM head gaskets hold up under high cylinder pressure? On my old motor I have always used the fel-pro head gasket, but on my new motor I just don't feel safe with a piston to head clearnce of .038. So I'm looking at switching to the .051 thick GM gasket, or do I have any other options? This is an 15:1 NA motor that might spin to 8k.

What are the big power blower and spray guys using?

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Steve Quinn
95' Z 350 NA auto
1.44 60'
10.543 @ 127.04

Stock block, pistons, rods and crank.

New NA motor coming soon....

www.norushracing.com

Hot Rod Hawk · 07-09-2002, 09:49 PM

As far as stk gsk't go....
....how dose the wire crush ring compare in relation to the felpros? dia of wire? Width wise not thickness of course. I would compare the build of the wire between the two.

BUT Steve, Have you thought about having custom copper gaskets made and related block and head groving?

The only other thing would be to o-ring the bores and install "Flourocarbon" [sp?] o-rings.
Talk to Kurt Urban or give Bruce a call on the Toll free Ramchargers line, hes done this work at Batten when he was there.
TTYL, Jeff

ps...martin nmca was fun fo sure bro, Had a great time!

[This message has been edited by Hot Rod Hawk (edited July 09, 2002).]

Jason Short · 07-09-2002, 11:20 PM

Hey Steve, how is the new motor coming along? That thing is going to be an animal

Anyway, I personally would not trust the stock GM LT1 head gasket (.049") on a motor with the power you will have; however, there have been a few guys that have had success with them in high hp applications. I know that John Eaves was making 655rw (blower) with a ~9.8:1 static compression ratio.

Dont know if that is much of a help, but I personally would not trust the stock gaskets in an application that you are going with.

Jason

INTMD8 · 07-09-2002, 11:34 PM

FWIW I ran .029 piston to head clearance on my 383 and I spun it to 7,200 all the time.

When I took it apart, you couldn't see that the piston came in contact with the head, but there sure as hell wasn't any carbon buildup.

As long as you don't have aluminum rods, I would run the fel pro gaskets.

The GM gaskets don't have a copper wire inside the stainless fire ring. I think you would be giving up alot of strength with that gasket.

KTamez · 07-10-2002, 03:45 AM

Quote:

<font face="Verdana, Arial" size="2">Originally posted by Hot Rod Hawk:

BUT Steve, Have you thought about having custom copper gaskets made and related block and head groving?
</font>

Not sure on why Custom Coppers would be needed when SCE has them on the Shelf for Reverse Cool Applications..... Or am I missing something.

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Kurtis Tamez
LT4-396.com
97 Z28 LT4-396
94 Firehawk LT1-396
Team NW F-Body

squinn · 07-10-2002, 09:48 PM

Well I did lots of looking on the net tonight trying to find all the info I could on LT head gaskets. Jeff I could not find any info on fire ring dia on any on the gaskets. I did find that Dana/Victor Reinz make a Nitroseal LT4 head gasket P/N 5930, they also have a P/N 5922 for LT1, not sure if that one in a nitroseal. Rol Mfg make on P/N HG34015, but I would like to see if they make one in there High Temp Series, then there is Detroit Gasket/Cortec to cheak with to see what they have.

Anyone try any thing other them GM or Fel-Pro??

I really do not what to go with copper inless thats the only option as O-ringing is a must, plus its a 10 day wait and 3 times the money when all is done.

Well looks like I'll be just tuning car at the NMCA race again this month.

INTMD8 · 07-10-2002, 11:30 PM

As far as I know, Fel-pro is the only gasket with a copper wire inside the fire ring.

GM's (McCord) don't.

Mr Gasket Ultraseal (VictorReinz) don't.

That's all I have tried.

Why are you worried about .038 piston to head clearance. I would consider that ideal.