Head gasket ?
 

After popping a couple of engines this year, just trying to piece something together to finish season with whats left over. Question, with what I've got, is it better to have a gasket that fits the hole and is too thick, or perfect in thickness but a little too big for the bore?

265 SS 3.80 bore

I've checked with Cometic for a better match, but being a little cheap right now trying to patch the Nomad and '57 back together

Thanks in advance for any thoughts

Re: Head gasket ?
 

You really do not want to alter the total deck clearance too much from the ideal.

That said, "too thick" and "too big for the bore" are too vague to allow a good answer.

Re: Head gasket ?
 

Back in the late 90,s we set the record and had to take both heads off, when I went to put the motor back together I packed the generic BB gaskets in the trailer(4.250 bore) as opposed to the 4.100 396 steels I took off the car. Made first round and ran the same,left them on for the rest of the year. I would go with the bigger bore gasket (283?) than alter the deck with a thicker gasket. gsa612

Re: Head gasket ?
 

What he said

Re: Head gasket ?
 

Randall, you have a pm

Re: Head gasket ?
 

Randy I have some 283 stuff, copper what do you need for thickness. I have my garage motor together yet if ron need something to run. Will be going thru Lincoln early fri morning .Tom

Re: Head gasket ?
 

Try a mr. Gasket mrg-57806 Bore is 3.870 .028 It is close and last time there was 2 gaskets in pack. for $40.

Re: Head gasket ?
 

Jim, Who sells mr. gasket 57806? Tom

Re: Head gasket ?
 

If you look up MRG-5780 on summit it goes to MRG-5780G, the only difference i can see is the G has one gasket the other two, still half the price of a cometic.

Back to the 265, the gasket we have used for years and of course is no longer available is detroit gasket 55061hg for a 305 application.
Detroit sold to corteco (not to be confused with cometic) Corteco seems to have gone broke and or disappeared

Re: Head gasket ?
 

You might also look at Victor #5745 approx. 3.800 and .025 thick - I believe it's made for a 305 too.