Head Gasket Ruling
 

Quick Question guys and Gals.

Building a 96 LT1 350 c.i. 275 HP SBC

NHRA specs say the deck clearance is .015 and the head gasket is .047, that gives us a total of .062.

If my piston only sits in the hole .010, can i hypothetically put a .052 gasket to make up the difference?

Does any combination of .062, deck clearance amd gasket make me legal?

Trying to finish this short block and get this heap running as soon as possible. Thanks in advance and sorry if this has been questioned before. Happy thanksgiving to all!

Re: Head Gasket Ruling
 

Zero deck and a .062 gasket is fine.

Re: Head Gasket Ruling
 

Yes. Any combo is OK. The least expensive method is .023 down and a Fel Pro race gasket (.039) but Cometic will make you any thickness you desire. I have never run the piston out of the hole because it was not legal in the past but I understand that it is OK now. There is merit to this approach but I haven't gone there yet. TT

Re: Head Gasket Ruling
 

You might want to leave a couple of thousanths extra. A couple of thousanths extra won't make you a lot slower. But one thousanth to little gets you a real quick trip home.

Re: Head Gasket Ruling
 

Art,
Very good advice , you beat me to the punch ... We all remember when it's too late ( In teardown )... Better to be safe than sorry ....

Re: Head Gasket Ruling
 

Thanks for the clarification gentlemen. Yeah, i like the idea of being a little safe and allowing a thou or two extra. I'll do exactly that. Appreciate it much. HAppy Thanksgiving

Chris H