Hey guys, I'm in the beginning of my build phase, but also planning ahead. I was planning to use 10cc domed pistons with this supercharged build, but wanted to get some feedback on the type of head gasket to use. The heads (471's) have been surfaced 0.008" just to get them flat. The compression, according to John Mummert, will be about 9:1. I was going to use one of John's 331 cu. in. stroker kits with the C2AE block I have. I will try to achieve "0" deck height, but the block hasn't been decked yet, it's not even in the shop. I'm thinking that for this motor, the compression should be more like 8.5:1. So, should I consider steel shim type gasket that won't blow out, or a thicker gasket (maybe a Fel-Pro Perma Torque) to possibly lower the compression a bit?

Any thoughts would be appreciated.

Thanks,

Rono.

  Ron Lane,  Meridian, ID

I use and recommend the Best gaskets that John sells.  Just pulled the heads from my blown race car after two seasons, and there was no sign of any leakage.

John - "The Hoosier Hurricane"

John surely has more experience than I do, after all the racing, but I've got two s/c motors as follows:



292 block, 312 turned crank 320 cid stroker, flat tops, 113 heads (by JM, as is the stroker kit) 270 cam, 9.0 static, measured by cc'ing the heads, standard head bolts. 5lbs boost at 5000rpm. This motor has blown 2 head gaskets on the dyno, both in the fire ring area on #8. It may have been aggravated by a poorly baffled PVC valve in the valley pan. Since corrected. The chassis dyno is a pretty heavy load, but the motor showed no signs of detonating before it let go, just a lot of steam as it was wound down. It had Felpros in it one time, and a set of John M's early gaskets (before the current ones) the second time. No trouble since the Best, but I cut the boost to 4lbs.



312 block, 312 crank 340 cid stroker, flat tops, 471 heads, 280 cam, 8.5 static (measured), ARP studs, 5lbs boost at 5000rpm. It has a properly baffled PCV in the valley, and John M's latest (I think) gaskets. This engine is no trouble, the cam is a better choice (I'd use it instead of the 270 even in my heavy all power everything "bird). We did have to retorque the heads several times to stop a small water leak at the rear of the block/head, but John M said this has happened before.



I wanted the shorter cam and higher compression ratio for low end torque in the 'bird, due to the weight, but given the performance of the second motor (even in a much lighter roadster and with 20 morer cubes), I'd use the second motor in the 'bird if I started over. These are street driven cars, and never see full load for more than about 10 seconds. If you're going to Bonneville or a 1/4 mile track, listen for detonation on a 9 to 1 with much boost.

miker
55 bird, 32 cabrio F code
Kent, WA
Tucson, AZ

Thanks John and Mike....I'll go with John's Best Gaskets. Mike, we spoke on the phone a couple of times. I live over in Idaho. Thanks again!

Rono.

  Ron Lane,  Meridian, ID

I truly believe that a lot of head gasket issues are caused by the OE Ford head bolts. I think they were marginal when new and after 50 years they're just sacked out. JohnF says he uses Grade 8 head bolts and that seems to work just fine. ARP fasteners are added insurance but come with added cost.

A lot of things can contribute to head gasket problems, mixture, poor fuel, ignition advance and how soon it comes in, boost pressure. Oil getting into the cylinder lowers octane and can cause detonation. No matter how tight you clamp the heads to the block the gasket can be detonated into problems if tune-up is not correct.

http://ford-y-block.com 

20 miles east of San Diego, 20 miles north of Mexico

I’ll add that heavily milled unposted heads will add to head gasket problems.  For anything over 9½:1 CR I'll recommend posted heads.  For performance applications,  I prefer using ½” head bolts; the block is easily retapped and the heads are simply drilled to accommodate the larger head bolt size.  I have no issues with composition head gaskets in any Y application and that includes compression ratios up to 13.0:1.

Lorena, Texas (South of Waco)

I've had less problems with the composition head gaskets on all my motors. I won't even consider a steel gasket anymore, they simply can't handle the higher compression numbers were running, and with the timing being advanced more than the factory specs I'm sticking with composition Best Gaskets.

-Gary Burnette-

Somebody asked this question not too long ago and I didnt see a response.  What are the issues or problems that dropped Felpro out of favor as the comp. gasket of choice?  Did the design or formula change, or now made out of country like most things?

Mike, located in the Siskiyou mountains, Southern, OR 292 powered 1946 Ford 1/2 ton, '62 Mercury Meteor, '55 Country Squire (parting out), '64 Falcon, '54 Ford 600 tractor.

46yblock, I believe it is the design of the head gasket that Best Gasket make that is preferable over the FelPro Gaskets

BOB

I used to sell Felpro's but after a dyno experience I took another look. We built a 312 with surfaced heads, decked the block and used head studs. After the dyno secession we removed the heads and found that they were already leaking and would have failed in short order. I also heard of and saw many engines with coolant weeping down the side of the block with Felpro's. We then switched to Detroit head gaskets and had good luck with those. Detroit was bought by Corteco so those gaskets are no longer made.

I had long believed that the Y-Block would seal better if they didn't have to clamp around the pushrods. Ford relieved this area on the Lincoln heads but not on the Y-Blocks. I knew I'd never get Felpro to change their design. Then Armin Brown from Best called my and stated his was going to begin making his own head gaskets and asked if there were any changes I'd like to make.

I already knew the changes I wanted to make. Armin made it happen.

When I told Armin his intake gaskets had the wrong port size, he changed it within a week. When a better design was suggested for the oil pump tube seal, he made new ones immediately. When Gary B asked for big bore head gaskets, Armin made them.            Armin really is one of the good guys.

http://ford-y-block.com 

20 miles east of San Diego, 20 miles north of Mexico