Head gasket ?

Randall Klein · 07-17-2012, 02:53 PM

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

Alan Roehrich · 07-17-2012, 03:47 PM

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.

gsa612 · 07-17-2012, 05:27 PM

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

Phillip marvetz · 07-18-2012, 01:59 AM

What he said

REGGIE WINKLES · 07-18-2012, 11:51 AM

Randall, you have a pm

Tom Meyer · 07-18-2012, 09:06 PM

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

Jim Johnston/6022 · 07-19-2012, 01:18 AM

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.

Tom Moock · 07-19-2012, 10:50 AM

Jim, Who sells mr. gasket 57806? Tom

Jim Johnston/6022 · 07-19-2012, 01:18 PM

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

pmrphil · 07-19-2012, 10:03 PM

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

07-17-2012, 02:53 PM	#1
Randall Klein Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Lincoln, Nebraska Posts: 785 Likes: 45 Liked 316 Times in 67 Posts	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

07-17-2012, 03:47 PM	#2
Alan Roehrich Veteran Member Join Date: May 2006 Location: Murfreesboro TN Posts: 5,098 Likes: 1,550 Liked 1,778 Times in 404 Posts	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. __________________ Alan Roehrich 212A G/S

07-17-2012, 05:27 PM	#3
gsa612 Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: 100th Meridian Posts: 569 Likes: 116 Liked 280 Times in 139 Posts	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

07-18-2012, 01:59 AM	#4
Phillip marvetz Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Lynden ,WA Posts: 820 Likes: 0 Liked 3 Times in 3 Posts	Re: Head gasket ? What he said __________________ 2009 V/SA Record Holder

07-18-2012, 09:06 PM	#6
Tom Meyer Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: Pierce NE Posts: 934 Likes: 75 Liked 351 Times in 120 Posts	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 __________________ Tom Meyer 5240 SS Stock ???

07-18-2012, 11:51 AM	#5
REGGIE WINKLES Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: St. Augustine, Fla. Posts: 229 Likes: 566 Liked 39 Times in 9 Posts	Re: Head gasket ? Randall, you have a pm __________________ Reggie Winkles 2650/Stock

07-19-2012, 01:18 AM	#7
Jim Johnston/6022 Junior Member Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: delta bc-down river from mission raceway Posts: 37 Likes: 0 Liked 13 Times in 6 Posts	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.

07-19-2012, 10:50 AM	#8
Tom Moock Senior Member Join Date: May 2004 Posts: 801 Likes: 1 Liked 10 Times in 6 Posts	Re: Head gasket ? Jim, Who sells mr. gasket 57806? Tom __________________ Tom Moock 5704 STK

07-19-2012, 01:18 PM	#9
Jim Johnston/6022 Junior Member Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: delta bc-down river from mission raceway Posts: 37 Likes: 0 Liked 13 Times in 6 Posts	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

07-19-2012, 10:03 PM	#10
pmrphil Member Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: CT Posts: 454 Likes: 1,787 Liked 345 Times in 149 Posts	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. __________________ Phil Molski PMR Performance S/C 1623