I'm currently having my engine rebuilt and am debating about using copper head gaskets since I am running a set of Performer RPM heads. Do you guys have any suggestions or recommendations for good head gaskets? I want to make absolutely sure I use something that won't blow out on me.
thanks in advance

Originally posted by pegleg71:
I'm currently having my engine rebuilt and am debating about using copper head gaskets since I am running a set of Performer RPM heads. Do you guys have any suggestions or recommendations for good head gaskets? I want to make absolutely sure I use something that won't blow out on me.
thanks in advance ==
Not the best plan for the street.
They can be a pain to seal & there is no real benefit unless you are planning on taking the heads on & off a bunch & are using "O" rings.
Stick with the tried & true performance FelPro's or Victor's etc.,,, or if you want the best go to the Cometic MLS but they ain't real cheap ;)

I second what (Mike) Wolfplace said. I tried some copper head gaskets for a street motor and they leaked horribly! graemlins/angry.gif I gave up and went with Felpros. Best decision I ever made. The coppers have their place--on race engines. I would avoid them!

There is a Company now that sells copper headgaskets that have silk-screened rubber or whatever on them just like the new standard gaskets have to help in the sealing department.

I saw them out at SEMA a couple a years ago in Vegas.

Might look into them..

pdq67

Copper gasket with a coating really has no advantage over a composite gasket. (May be some more selection of thicknesses, but this is a minor point considering the options available from the major gasket manufacturers.) Like Mike said, the Cometic MLS head gasket is the cat's meow, especially on high compression, aluminum head combinations.

Ca a copper gasket be reused. I have SCE on my engine now and rebuilding it.

Originally posted by godsend:
Ca a copper gasket be reused. I have SCE on my engine now and rebuilding it. ==
Yes they can, but why are you using copper unless you have the block "O" ringed?

My block is oringed.

My machinist though that would last well in a 1000hp 468 street engine.

I used Iron heads. Can i use same copper gasket when changing to Aluminium. Or should i change gasket every time i change to a diff head?

Thanks for the advice/info guys. I just heard that it's a good idea to use copper head gaskets if you are using a power adder. I plan on throwing a nitrous kit on later, so I thought i'd float the question. Also, my machinist thought that Performer RPM heads might require a particular head gasket. Anyone know anything about this? Just curious. Sounds like the Cometic MLS head gaskets are the way to go. Would you guys consider 10:1 high compression? That's what i'll be running. I just want to make sure everything is tip top when I get this baby put together and running. graemlins/thumbsup.gif

Thanks again guys

Peg, you can use just about any gasket with the performer RPM heads. 10:1 is not considered high compression in the performance world. That compression was common in the 1960's even on some standard engines such as 250 hp 327.

godsend, you will need to change gaskets when changing to a different head. The deck configuration may be different between the heads. (In fact, I would NEVER try to reuse a head gasket for any reason. Replace the gasket anytime the head is removed, otherwise you are inviting trouble.)

Thanks for the replies. Just ordered my rebuild kit...apparently it's $72 more for a 327 than a 350 :mad: Oh well. I'm going to go with a set of fel pro head gaskets that comes with the rebuild kit. It's not that I was worried about 10:1 .....actually it's going to be 10.35:1.... with the head gaskets, but rather while running the nitrous.

Just curious....
What sort of compression change would there be on my engine if I ran, say a 150 shot? I mean from 10.35:1 - ?? Just wondering.

Cometics MLS for me, $82 per gasket for my 4.560 bore. If it is a more standard bore, it might be less expensive. No re-torque necessary and re-usable for 3 times or maybe more.

P.S. If they tell you that they are 5-7 days backloged, and you need them fast, order them with overnight delivery and you will have them the next day after you order.

Stupid question...
On a rebuilt engine should you retorque your heads after putting a minimal amount of miles on? Thought I remembered someone telling me that...doesn't make sense to me though.

Performer RPM's if it matters.

Hey Bill,

Do you remember the copper compostion headgaskets that they used to make years ago??

I pulled the head on my old '48 Dodge, 5 pass. coupe b/c it had two burnt exhaust valves in it and saw that the headgasket was like that.

I asked the old Mechanic across the street that turned me on to the old MMO stuff and he said they were reusuable so I just put her back together and she did fine.

pdq67

pdq67,
Yes in most cases those were head gaskets with asbestos core and copper facing on both sides. Many of them had copper fire rings and grommets around the water passages (and even the bolt holes in some instances). The are real nice gaskets and normally account for some very good workmanship, although they are somewhat thick. These gaskets are still made for some older engines, especially tractors and industrial engines, but other materials are used in place of the asbestos. Yes, these gaskets could be reused but remember too that these engines, for the most part have compression ratios in the 7.0:1 range and the gaskets are .080" to .100" thick.

Where can I find some info on the Cometic MLS gaskets?? Any websites?
Caleb

Here ya go ;)

http://www.cometic.com/