Best Head Gasket

[agro1]

...For the Edelbrock Victor Jr. on a 351W block ? I have to replace mine and was wondering which one is the best to use ? Running high compression. Thanks in advance.

[Andy Dunn]

I am going to try using the Milodon copper head gasket. If you want to check them out, go here and click GASKETS and then head gasket.
http://www.milodon.com/main.htm



They are made for high compression applications. They suggest that if they are driven on the street that you use silicone around the water passages. Milodon actualy has more sizes that you see here...so you can alter your compression setting as well. I believe they have .030 .040 .050 .060. These are 4.06 bore as opposed to 4.10 bore and so you might do a compression calculation to be safe as well.

hope this helps

Andy

[Excaliber]

A recent thread on an over heating issue pointed to:

The bead of silicon around the pump expanded out when the pump was bolted down tight, thus "squishing" out some residual amount around the inside edges. Months later little ridges of the residual silicon finally broke free and worked it's way into some water passages in the head gasket area. Thus causing just enough blockage to cause a very difficult to diagnose over heating problem!

I for one will use slilicon VERY sparingly from now on, just to "be sure".

Ernie

[scottj]

We always use Fel Pro with the stainless compression ring and depending on cu. in. we run 13.5:1 to 15.5:1 at near 800 HP. Like Andy said, we also silicone the water passages, studs, and washers or else aluminum motors WILL LEAK coolant until they reach temp. Iron blocks don't move as much as aluminum so the silicone is more of a precaution than a necessity but a very good idea none the less. Use sparingly for the reasons Excaliber stated.

Be aware when mocking up that proper squish clearance is important to making max power as well as being important to resistance to detonation. Increasing the squish to much more than .040" (for steel rods) by using a thicker head gasket could make the engine more likely to detonate.

Scott

[Roscoe]

Ernie was talking about my overheating problem. I originally used a Milodon copper but was not informed of the silicone need and was pushing water into my cylinders. This is before I even installed the body on the car so it was easy to pull the heads.

I now use either Fel Pro or Mr Gasket with the steel ring. No sealer is necessary, just put them on a clean surface. The only thing you can use on it is a bit of adhesive.

If you want a set of Milodon's I've got them hanging on the wall.

Roscoe

[Mr.Fixit]

Does anybody still spray paint their head gaskets with aluminum or copper spray paint before install?

[scottj]

Nope, just silicone.

[Roscoe]

I only use silicone as a last resort, after my recent bout with it getting into my cooling system.

I use copper spray adhesive for head gaskets and use good ol Permatex on the water pump.

Roscoe

[Excaliber]

Roscoe,,,,Thanks for reminding us where that important silicone tip came from. Thats a huge part of what the club is all about. Helping others to NOT make the same mistakes over and over!

Ernie