Head gasket thickness?
 

I have a standard felpro blue head gasket for olds motor and need to know how much these crush down to. New it's. 052. Also in the motor specs it states piston. 002 to deck. Is that 2 out of hole or 2 below deck. Sorry for the amateur questions just getting things measured before sending out to machine shop. Thanks in advance.

Re: Head gasket thickness?
 

Jeff,

The FelPro gasket has a .039” compressed thickness.
There are also thinner head gaskets sold by Rocket Racing in Wisconsin.

http://shop.rocketracingshop.com/Head-Gaskets_c96.htm

I know you are trying to make this project a low budget, however, due to the small bore of the Oldsmobile 307, I would recommend going with a custom Cometic head gasket with a smaller bore and proper thickness.

Re: Head gasket thickness?
 

I did think about the Cometic as I have them on the go fast car. I was cleaning the back of wagon out for fuel cell and found a complete gasket kit for the 307 that use to be in car and the head gasket is standard bore and .052. I think the gasket spec is suppose to be .030 with .002 on piston. My piston is .004 in hole and need to do some machine work, so I was trying to see what I had to make it work or not. I will keep rocket shop for a go to and get something closer to fit and do less machine cutting. Thanks again. Jeff

Re: Head gasket thickness?
 

It's .002 down.Otherwise ,it would say .002 ab..
You need .032 total, minimum..About as tight as you want anyway.
Hmm, I think I see a phony factory spec.
How about an offset grind on the crank?

Re: Head gasket thickness?
 

I'll get the new head gasket and see if I need to cut deck or just a clean up as I need to bore for 10 over pistons and fill block.