biggrizzly

I hate to cross post forums but I'm needing help. I have been searching the internet all night and found nothing so far. I dd post this other places on the web, so if you see it you can just ignore (sorry)

I started installing my heads the other night, and started to question the gasket I chose (FP 9966 PT) when I noticed the coolant passage holes where so much smaller than those in the head and the block. I also noticed that the oil drain passages are slightly obstructed by gasket material. Additionally, Lloyd Elliot told me to use the thinner Impala gasket which is supposed to be .029 thk Impala/Caprice LT1 head gasket. The GM part No. is "GM PART # 12553160". I have confirmed the thickness of the GM gasket as a confirmed .029" thk.

However, my problem started when I decided to do a cross reference and buy the Fel-Pro brand (Fel-Pro part no. 9966 PT) instead of GM part. The gasket appears exactly the same physically, but I can't find any specs on the gasket, and I read on LS1/LT1 Tech that the Fel-Pro Impy Gasket was .049. and not .029 like I assumed it would be. That would really suck!

The other thing I noticed about these gaskets, is that most of the coolant holes in the gasket are very small relative to the large coolant passages in the head and block deck.

If you guys have a way to find out the thickness specs on the Fel-Pro 9966 PT Gasket I'd appreciate the help big time. I have one cylinder head already installed and torqued and really don't want to remove that head if I don't have to.

Also - any concerns with the Impala gasket which is meant to be used on iron heads, being used on aluminum heads? I also read from one respected forum member that there could be corrosion issues long term?

Thanks for any help - comments or suggestions

mdacton

Sounds like you have gen1 SBC head gaskets. Either get the impy gaskets from napa or a felpro 1074

biggrizzly

No, they are LT1/4 gaskets - says it right on the packaging. The only Impy gaskets available from NAPA are the one's I'm installing (9944 PT). Fel-Pro 1074 are .039 thk. - I need .029

Thanks for the reply

mdacton

https://www.camaroz28.com/forums/sho...highlight=9966

https://www.camaroz28.com/forums/sea...archid=2131317

joeSS97

The 9966 is a stock replacement,.049 thick.I measured it.The coolant holes are stock if you look at your old gasket.I used this same gasket with no problems.

biggrizzly

Ok - this confirms the thickness at .049 - now the 60million dollar question is who makes a good .029 gasket?
GM Impala Gaskets - do they have issues?
Fel-Pro makes the FP-1074 which is .039 but I don't see them making a .029 one.

Stoopalini

There's your answer and your part number. Do you think Lloyd would advise you to use a gasket which doesn't work?

FWIW, I installed this gasket on my car and got it back together 2 days ago. Have put ~150 miles on it thus far and haven't had a problem.

If you have one head already bolted on using the felpro gasket, I would just finish the job using that gasket. Going .02 smaller is not going to have any significant advantages (https://www.camaroz28.com/forums/sho...d.php?t=569778)

Thomas.

quickSS

Mahle/Clevite/Victor Reinz (Mahle bought Clevite and VR and so that's the name of the company now) has the "GEN II" motor 92-97 listed thusly:

LT1, 4.100" bore, 5.4cc, .026" compressed thickness, "Nitroseal", part number Victor Reinz 5898

LT4, 4.120" bore, 10.4cc, .046" compressed thickness, "Nitroseal", part number Victor Reinz 5930.

They are listed for any and all "GEN II" motors so that's F/Y/B/D body and it's not iron head specific and there should be no issues using them for aluminum alloy heads. (as far as I know).

I don't know what parts store sell VR head gaskets and such because I get mine from wholesalers but I'm sure someone like Advanced Auto or NAPA would have them.

hth.
Karl Ellwein

biggrizzly

Thanks - very good information - "Vis_croceus" told me about the Reinz gaskets, but I wasn't sure where I could find them today. That'll be my next search

biggrizzly

I know Lloyd would not have given bad advice!! I just made an assumption I should not have made. I assumed that if you cross reference a GM part No. to a Fel-Pro, when then for God's sake the damn thing should be the same part! That's what pisses me off the most.

n2ceptor

Victor-Reinz # 5898 shows for the impala.... Carquest.....

quickSS

Look up 95 Camaro Z28 head gasket at Carquest and see what they show, (please). I'm curious to see if they show the 5898 or the 5930

Karl

biggrizzly

I'm checking Carquest now. BRB

I also got part nos. for Mr. Gasket 5716 from Lloyd which has a .026" thk

n2ceptor

For a 95' Camaro part # 5922 Its the VR2000 series.....

biggrizzly

Carquest could not find anything on the 5930 that you asked about, but they do have 5898s. I will have to special order those. So I'm looking locally for either the Victor-Reinz 5898, Mr Gasket 5716 or the GM Impala 12553160

Thanks to everyone that helped solve my mystery! Off to fix it.