steel head gasket
 

just a street 327ci chevy, which steel head gasket will hold up? there use to be some coated ones? any tricks to help seal? thankyou.

Re: steel head gasket
 

Mr. gasket made coated ones, spray the gaskets with copper coating when installing. Ck compressed thickness, they're not all the same, and be sure you have enough clearance piston to head.

Re: steel head gasket
 

60's and 70's we'd just used aluminum spray paint coat each side and go for it, it's easy to clean if you you need to remove them also.I always felt that spray gasket stuff was a mess to clean, I wouldn't tell so one they couldn't use it if that's what they wanted to use.

Re: steel head gasket
 

We did use high heat aluminum paint on steel gaskets for years with no issues.

I have found many head & block mills around here don't cut a smooth enough finish. That is in the set up of the little cutter bits in the wheel. A slick finish seals steel head gaskets better. Ask me how I know. LOL

I generally use K&W Copper Coat when I reuse a Cometic gasket. Not the first time. Not trying to tell anybody how to do things, just sharing what has worked for me.

Re: steel head gasket
 

Hylomar by Permatex--- AEROSOL--- is the only stuff to use ----Patterson uses it all the time

Re: steel head gasket
 

thanks all. we're saving a numbers matching engine. new pistons give me a .017'' deck height. deck surfaces are stock. I've found today that GM sells a .028'' composition gasket that would give me a perfect .045'' quench. im just a little nervious about the deck surface finish that I can't touch...the composition gasket should seal it & would be a better choice that a steel unit...

Re: steel head gasket
 

I have not seen a factory deck surface too rough to seal a steel gasket. Here in this area (Tulsa, OK) it is the corner machine shops surfacing heads. & blocks, leaving ridges. Many have a small piece of iron, or sample of the finish their mill provides. Like it is the perfect, or desired finish. The factory machining I have seen is fine for steel gaskets.

Re: steel head gasket
 

Use Hylomar; it is one of the best sealants you can use for cylinder head gaskets.

Although Permatex has their own licensed version, I prefer the original brushable product from Hylomar, Part Number HUBA02.

http://www.zoro.com/i/G1731965/?category=6233

Re: steel head gasket
 

GM # 10105117 describes that gasket w/4'' bore. it could very well measure .4.065'', which is the smallest I can go. my bore is that size.

Re: steel head gasket
 

anyone know the bore size of that GM composition gasket?

Re: steel head gasket
 

If its just a stock street engine with cast pistons the steel shim gasket will be fine with a deck of .017. I don't run a whole lot more than that in my race engine and the bore clearance is way more than you would run on a cast piston street engine. The coated Mr. Gasket steel shims do not require any sealer and seal well on smooth finished deck surface.

Re: steel head gasket
 

mike we hade JE do a piston set for our 4.064'' bore, that's what it cleaned up at to save the block. sonic check of the finished bores are @ .160''. I found the mr. gasket steel units w/grafite coating w/4.100'' bore, .028'' thick. they're gonin' on out of the box...even though the deck surface is factory (as not to harm the I.D. numbers & not warped/twisted) and heads finish has a regular machined surface....should work. thanks for everyones input !

Re: steel head gasket
 

I use a steel uncoated head gasket on an old dodge 318 poly motor but I used a copper spray material that came in a rattle can that dries on the tacky side. Seems to be working OK, been on the car for several years with no problems. Don't recall the name of the stuff but will see if I can find it if you are interested in the name.

Re: steel head gasket
 

Back in the days of steel shim gaskets,We had the best luck with Permatex Super 300,Came in can with brush attached to lid.Bill C.