Anybody know why the metal ring around the perimeter of the gasket cylinder sealing areas "bulge out" away from the cylinders at around the 4 o'clock and 7 o'clock position. Why aren't they perfectly round to match up with the cylinders? It seems like this deformity wouldn't help promote good combustion.

Chris

 

If I'm not mistaken, the head bolts thread into the block deck in this area.

The promixity of the bolts would exert more clamping force in that area.

Just a thought.

 

The combustion chambers are laid back in a similar fashion..... put the gasket on the head & you will see the similarity. The chamber is shaped in this manner to promote better flow by unshrouding the valves.

It is necessary to keep the gasket away from the combustion heat. This is why it is not round. If it hangs into the combustion area (or too close) it can overheat & fail. Most round gaskets are larger diameter to prevent this. The LT1/LT4 gaskets seem to be more pronounced than many other small block designs.