head gasket opinion please

[biscaynewagon]

Hi Guys,

Some of you probably already knows, I've only got a 235 :cuss in my 61 brookwood.
BUT a better replacement engine (its a 348 :D) just few weeks away.

The wagon is and still will be our daily driver.
Question: Should I go with a composition head gasket or original steel one ? I have access for both of them.

Pro and cons between them such as fuel(regular, premium, ect) :confused: or HP related or maybe any other opinion I should know ?

Thank you :cheers

[JimKwiatkowski]

GO WITH A COMPOSITION HEAD GASKET AND MAKE SURE YOU PERMATEX YOUR HEADBOLT HOLES & BOLTS ALSO PERMATEX AROUND WATER PORTS ON YOUR BLOCK AND HEADS.

[fatride]

Quench distance should be kept in the .045" to .035" range to stave off detonition. That means that if you use the composition gasket you need to zero deck the block. This to me is not a good idea. Once you zero deck the block you have no were else to go if you would want to rebuild again. The better idea in my opinion is to drop the piston .015" in the hole and use the steel gasket. If done correctly there will be no problems. If your quench is over .065 you may have a detonation problem that no high octane fuel or no amount of retarding timing will cure!
:deal