Club Cobra - Which head gaskets are best?

Club Cobra (http://www.clubcobra.com/forums/)

- FE TALK (http://www.clubcobra.com/forums/fe-talk/)

- - Which head gaskets are best? (http://www.clubcobra.com/forums/fe-talk/71337-head-gaskets-best.html)

Which head gaskets are best?

Saw the article at the link below while trying to do some research on head gaskets.

http://www.babcox.com/editorial/us/us80222.htm

I noted the comments about challenges with iron blocks and aluminum heads, which is what I have on a 427 so. Lots of people see to go for Felpro, I've had Victor Reinz nitroseals on it, but not for long (you can see my other thread for that saga) :eek: and I see good things about Cometic - except for the price.

So that said, what's right for iron block, aluminum head, 10.5:1 compression? Is there something about Cometic that makes them worth the money, or are they overkill and really for big time racing with really high cylinder pressures and heat, and the engine gets a rebuild all the time?

I only want to do this once (and I've said that 3 times now):o so I want to do it right.

Oh, also best way to get old NitroSeal gasket stuff off the block safely. Have used laquer thinner and shop rag, but doesn't seem to be taking off some of the black sealant.
Thanks!
Scott

Edelbrock on their web site recommend Fel Pro and they give part number with torque values and pattern

OK - ordered some Fel Pros. Surprised there weren't more comments on this topic.

Related question - how clean is clean enough for the block deck surface? There is still a visible pattern left from the NitoSeal gasket, but it won't come off with gasket remover, laquer thinner, etc. Surface is smooth, but this is one of the keys from the article. Considering taking some 2000 grit sandpaper to it, but am afraid then I'll make it too smooth and remove the surface pattern and roughness from the machining that is supposed to be there.
Thanks!

I've heard things about Felpro gaskets failing. I have never heard anything bad at all about ROL or Cometic.

I ordered ROL for my FE. .039" thickness. About $40 per pair.

I have never run anything but Fel-Pro for the past 25 years. Documented over 750HP N/A. So far I have failed exactly one head gasket in that time - literally thousands of track passes and street contests, and a ton of nitrous....

I have bought a set of Fel-Pro part # 1020. Seems there are multiple types of FelPro gaskets - which ones are most people using?