Is there a reason why most replacement head gaskets are composition instead of steel? I'm hoping to save some money by not having to zero deck the block with using the composition gaskets. I would rather just use the thinner original style steel gaskets and maybe mill the heads to increase compression a little. The engine is a stock 57 312.  Dave

SE Wis

Better or improved deck seal with the composition gaskets would be the top reason.  Longer life would be a secondary reason as the steel shim gaskets were known for rusting out in some of the water passages over time.  Head gasket technology has improved greatly in the last sixty plus years.

Lorena, Texas (South of Waco)

Of the composition gaskets is there one brand any thinner than others so just milling the heads would be sufficient for compression ratio? Dave

SE Wis

Assuming both surfaces are good and don't need milling, get you compression increase by milling the block deck surface. There are other benefits when it is done this way. Use the search feature for "quench."


Lawrenceville, GA

The Fel-Pro Permatorque and the Best Gasket head gaskets are the most prevalent or common gaskets that you can put your hands on today.  Here’s the link to the article that has a list of thicknesses for some of the various head gaskets for the Y.

 http://www.eatonbalancing.com/blog/2012/06/30/head-gasket-volume-calculation/

Lorena, Texas (South of Waco)

Thanks for the replys Charlie and Ted. Good info. I guess I'll just have to spend the extra money and get the block zero decked for it to perform better.  Dave

SE Wis

Along with head gasket thickness, let's not forget that re-sizing the rods sinks the piston further into the bore, yielding less compression.

Larry D

Winnipeg, MB Canada Eh!


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