head gasket

[NavySVO]

Ok, after reading about 40 pages of past threads (in an Operations center with virtually zero lighting....my eyes are toast!), I see that the preferred head gasket has been FELPRO 1035.
I also see that the forced4 folks offer FELPRO gasket 8993 PT-1.

Is this the replacement for 1035, or is it a newer, more improved one?

Thanks

[MeatSack]

Cometic MLS(multi layer steel). P/N C5369-040. That is the standard bore p/n.

[SVOBart]

The 1035 is the heavy duty steel o-ringed version. 8993 is the stock replacement gasket and has just a standard steel fire ring like all head gaskets.

FWIW, I'm just using the 8993. I've read around and plenty of folks are subjecting these things to 20-25 psi without them blowing. Having your head and block flat and the head bolts torqued properly has more to do with proper cylinder sealing than what head gasket you use for mild motors.

[boostedbruiser]

So which is it? The headgasket thats the easiest to get? i need this info also. My engines almost ready for daddy, to put it back together

[SVOBart]

Most stores should have the 8993 in stock. A 1035 is a special order and is about 3-4 times the money. If your plans are for running a crazy amount of boost and high horsepower, go with the 1035. If your are staying at less than 300 rwhp, the 8993 should be fine.

[boostedbruiser]

Thanks i guess its time for a 1035

[bendutro]

If your 1035 is working well, more power to ya. There have been several 1035 failures from overtorqing the head fasteners, the gasket material is compressible, moreso than the metal ring and it distorts the head if you torque it heavily.

If I were buying the parts, a Cometic MLS is reuseable and with some copper spray, I think it makes a better case than the fire-ring style.

[Boport]

Keep in mind that the [Cometic] MLS style is fairly new and hasn't passed the test of time. Fire-rings gaskets have been in use - with an extremely high reliability - for well over 50 years now in OHV engines.

I don't recommend the MLS design for surfaces that have already been work-hardened from previous installations with a fire-ring gasket - unless both surfaces have fresh machining on them (to remove the work-hardened areas).

Actually the cometic has become fairly "acepted" in every other form of motorsport but this particular engine.

In my experience, the cometic MLS has held up to far more abuse than the 1035's and 8993's could put up with. The 1035 is probably fine for 90% of the peple out there, but if you are really pushing these engines and have repeated gasket failures it may be time for a switch. I've found the composite fire ring type gaskets must be re-torqued after heat cycling, and seem to require a lot of fine tuning to get to work right. The MLS was a torque once and go deal, haven't had any problems yet.

Keep in mind, the only way the MLS gaskets will work is when the two mating surfaces are properly prepped for the gasket. Unless you are able to machine the block and head to the required Ra finish, its probably a waste of time.

Bo

[Joe P]

Actually the cometic has become fairly "accepted" in every other form of motorsport but this particular engine.

Bo, Is this due to the REM finish ( required? ), to achieve the proper sealing on this type of head gasket?

While I know that some head gaskets can only hold so much cylinder pressure, the 1035 has done fine by me WITH some maintenance such as retourqing after " my own " prefferences. The 1035 has proven well in many applications, but you have to decide what you are willing to do and possibly how hard you are going to lean on your combo.

There are no answer all answers here. How far do you want to go?

[NavySVO]

How far do you want to go?

I plan on:

-having the head ported, polished, flow tested, and decked for true-ness (there is a nice race shop here that has built a 12k RPM 2.3 drag engine for a Pinto, so I figure they can help me some here)
-run a manual boost valve with 17-18 psi
-PE (or SDS....that's a money issue there)
-ARP head studs
-E6 with a 3" downpipe
-ported upper and lower intake
-new 35# injectors
-roller cam and followers
-AFPR
-new T3/T4
-Adjustable cam sprocket
*possibly a 65 mm throttle body*

I figure I can squeeze about 240 horse outta that. Looking for high 200's in the torque dept.

My main thing is that I just want to have a good dependable head gasket in the engine that won't get blown out constantly. I really don't plan (well, not now anyway) to have something too radical that will end up always being a pill.
Gator told me something at the reunion that has really stuck with me since. He said something to the fact that when you end up getting too modified, you sometimes wish you hadn't changed a thing on it. With that in mind, I want to stay fairly sensible here.

Thanks for the inputs from all.

[boostedbruiser]

Hey navy i`ll be running a similiar setup, but i hope i can get more than 240 at the wheels. i was looking close to 280.

i have
t3/t4
Bobs log
3 inch exhaust dualsed out
pe with 35´s
a237 cam
bigger valves with P&P.
ported upper lower
adj.timing gear
and a 60mm TB.

is it not enough? next step after recovering from the engine rebuild will be sds,or something similiar.

[NavySVO]

Without hijacking my own thread.........

I was just trying to keep myself on the ground as far as my expectations.

I saw a few folks at the reunion with really good setups not getting much past the 250 mark. Whether it was a bad day for a dyno or what, I dunno. I just don't want to be setting my expectations too high and end up disappointed in the end.

Besides, 240-250 is very respectable in relation to what the 5.0 was putting out stock, and where you see the SVO in stock trim.

And to boot, I am more concerned about torque than HP. If I can end up with 240 hp, and the torque-to-hp differential that JayG had on his dyno run.....

[Pat_in_L.A.]

I am more concerned about torque than HP. If I can end up with 240 hp, and the torque-to-hp differential that JayG had on his dyno run.....

Kurt, do you still have my phone number?

[NavySVO]

I thnk I have it in my "contacts" on my cell.......but it is sitting uselessly on my workbench with me at work!
I am assuming you want me to give you a jingle (no, not THAT kind of jingle either!)

PM it to me Pat.

[boostedbruiser]

i guess i'll findout soon enough asll my engine stuff is ready to be assembled.
keep ya'll updated.