i have a 454 block that's been o-ring already and my enginer say i don't have to oring the heads because my o-ring's on the block is small . i was hoping i didn't have to use copper gaskets but if i must, i guess i have to

If the block is already machined for o-rings, then you will not want to o-ring the heads too.
Determine the depth of the o-ring groove in the block and use wire that is 1.75 to 2.00 times the groove diameter. Yes you will need to use copper head gaskets for the o-rings to work correctly.

Any blocks that we o-ring the decks we ALWAYS do a receiver groove in the head and use copper gaskets.

My BBC block was O-ringed.. I did as engineguy suggested .. removed the 0-rings ( lookes like they used .035 MIG wire )

Brought my Mic's down to Lowes and started measuring strands of copper wire till I found what I wanted and bought a 35" peice.

Set it in the groove and flattend it out by tapping on it with a hammer then used a Felpro 0-ring style gasket.

Bore,
I really do not like copper gaskets on street engines. You may want to do some measuring and see if you can find a "regular" gasket that will fit around the outside of the groove, or inside of the groove depending on where exactly they cut it. Then you can take the wire out completely. If you have a lot of patience, and a real good flat file, you can file the wire down flat. I have done it twice while converting race engines for street use. Its really not that hard if the wire was properly installed in the first place.

If your not at zero deck you a can deck the block to get rid of the o-ring grooves and go to a cometic gaskets that should work fine. As mentioned before copper gaskets on the street isn't the hot set up as they always tend to leak.

is it possible to have the block o-ring and not the heads and have any one use a head gasket call titan by sce it states it a self sealing copper gasket, just looking for best way to go with out o-ringing heads. I was told by afr not to o-ring head

Originally posted by boarhunter:
is it possible to have the block o-ring and not the heads and have any one use a head gasket call titan by sce it states it a self sealing copper gasket, just looking for best way to go with out o-ringing heads. I was told by afr not to o-ring head =
I am a little confused?? What exactly are you trying to do?
You do not run "O" rings on both the heads & block.
You can run them on one or the other & the correct way is to run the "O" ring in the head with a receiver groove in the block or the other way around.
A receiver groove is exactly what it sounds like, a groove cut directly opposite of the "O" ring that is wider for the gasket to cut into. The "O" ring pushes the copper gasket into the receiver groove & essentially gives you a double seal.
Engines were run for years with only an "O" ring & no receiver groove & some still do but any I do get the groove.
I have not tried the new Titan gasket so I cannot comment on it directly but my preference is to not run a copper gasket on the street & in my opinion about the only reason to run them is if you have the heads off every run ;)

Bottom line, if you are gooing to run the "O" rings you will need to run copper gaskets but you do not have to do anything to your heads.
My choice would be to fill the grooves as was suggested above & run FelPros if you don't have the room to cut the deck & remove them.

thanks for info guys,my block has a thin ring around the cylinders with a little piece of wire in it .i think i'll see if i can get the o-rings removed by decking block and run a fel-pro 1017 gasket. it's a race motor ,track only setup ,this is my first time dealing with a o-ring block but the price was to good to past up.i was wishing i could just run the motor with- out touching the heads and use a copper gasket