As I have mentioned before, I am working on a new engine for my 56.  I have a bunch of these gaskets.  Is there any advantage to using these other than the compression ratio?  Any particular disadvantage, such as sealing with these? 

Any coating recommended for installation?

Thanks


54 Victoria 312;  48 Ford Conv 302, 56 Bird 312
Forever Ford
Midland Park, NJ

If the engine is built with even a moderate attention to detail, compression is not a benefit that is acquired with the shim gaskets.  The reason being that the piston to head clearance needs to be considered.  You simply remove less material from the  block than you would with composition gaskets for the same clearance.  If the block has already been surfaced or 0'd, then the shim gaskets may be too thin.

Shim gaskets were used from the factory, so they will work fine.  You will want to ensure that the deck surfaces are flat and have a smooth finish since the shim gaskets are not as forgiving as composition gaskets.

I would use the gaskets that come with the gasket set.  If you get a Best Gasket set, it will have less material in the pushrod area, material that is not needed, which improves the sealing ability of the rest  of the gasket because the same amount of pressure is acting on less surface area.


Lawrenceville, GA

Another disadvantage of the steel shim head gaskets is the need to re-torque the head bolts after running the engine through a heat cycle or two.  Modern composition head gaskets will not require that same re-torquing sequence.

Lorena, Texas (South of Waco)

Thanks for the information - anybody want the shim head gaskets?  Yours for shipping cost.  I got about 6 of them.


54 Victoria 312;  48 Ford Conv 302, 56 Bird 312
Forever Ford
Midland Park, NJ