Steel shim head gaskets.

[SS425HP]

Does anyone else use the steel shim gaskets on their heads? Don't remember if I am supposed to coat them with anything. Any ideas? Need to know soon.

Fred

[JimKwiatkowski]

Fred,I don't want to see you have to take your heads off twice like I did because of internal coolant leaks.Send me your phone # by e-mail so I can help you from my bad experiences I've had

[Gerry]

Fred,


I've built three 09's in the past few years and used high temp. aluminum paint on the steel shim head gaskets. I have not experienced any problems. Are you going to the convention? If so, what day are you leaving?




Gerry

[SS425HP]

Hopefully leaving Tuesday morning. Going over on I-70

Fred

[fatride]

Fred, I use Permatex Copper spray-a-gasket, part # 101MA. I've used it on 4 or 5 sets of heads with no problems. Spray two even coats on each side of the gasket. Pick up a can and read the instructions, you'll be sold! ;)

PS, I'll be leaving tomorrow morning (Monday the 13th) for KC. I'm going to drive the first day till I get tired and drive the balance on the 14th. Maybe we'll see each other on the road, I hope so.

[SS425HP]

Ray, we are goint to leave Tuesday morning and try to go straight through. Hope the old body will hold up. I still have a lot of work to do on the old car. Hoping to get it done tonight, or tomorrow morning. Have some stories to tell about this, too. Hate getting old, but I guess it beats the alternatives. Hate asking for help, but had to ask a neighbor for some help yesterday. Things seem to have gotten heavier.
I figure we will get into KC late Tuesday night. 630 miles to go. Worst part, a friend going with me wants to use his truck to tow the trailer over. Not a bad idea, cause its a diesel. Problem is, it's a F**d. Told him I was going to have some Chevy emblems made to stick on it. Now, he fussed at that!!!!!!!! I think it will be better to let him tow it, as I have a 2002 Silverado with the 5.3 in it. It tows good around here, but a long trip might make its tounge hang out. Besides, it will put miles on his truck that I don't need. I drive enough as it is. About 22K a year.
Hope to see you along the way, but if not, see you in KC.

Fred

[fatride]

Don't worry about the Ford thing Fred, I wouldn't hit a dog in the tail with the new model 1/2 ton Chevy's. They look like hell! If I were going to buy a pickup today it may just be a Ford. :dunno Speaking of the old thing, I worked myself into a snit today cleaning the truck and packing. Impala was in a wedding yesterday, got in this morning at 1:30 am. The morning of the wedding I had the car in the body shop to get the new paint on the trunk buffed out. When I left the body shop I lit them up a little. When I did that I got a little wheel hop, enough to shake loose a little piece of fiber from inside of the new SS braided hose I just put on the engine. That fiber got in the needle and seat and held open the float. Every time I came to a stop the engine would flood out. So there I was just before the wedding with the carb off the engine cleaning the trash out of the seat after I came from the body shop :doh What a day! Pulled a valve cover today from the side that wiped out an exhaust valve because I though the valve train was a little noisy, I'm getting gun shy! Everything was ok. See you in KC. :D

[bowtieollie]

HI Fred,

I have had excellent results using the shim headgasket with Copper Coat being sprayed prior to installation.

Make sure the deck/head is straight and CLEAN. :D

[SS425HP]

Thanks, Ollie. I used the Copper Coat, but didn't know about the spray type. I got the old stuff, with the brush. Put a good coat on both sides, and they are working fine. I have always used the steel shim gaskets. Don't want to lose any compression. The only source I have found is Curt Harvey. Do you have a source? They are getting darned pricey. I'm thinking they were $40.00 a set. I like to keep a couple sets laying around, for insurance! I try to keep extra gaskets for all needs. Paid off this last time. The gasket set I got from Curt didn't have the HP intakes in it. Just lucky I had a set on the shelf. Just ordered some more from NAPA. Now I have to find some good Exhaust header gaskets. I think I have some leaks. Almost sounds like valves loose, but I know better!!!!!!!!!

Fred

[bowtieollie]

Well Fred,

I have a stash of NOS gaskets to live off of. Of course, I something tragic takes place - then I will need to source some gaskets down the road.

I wouldn't worry too much about the shim gaskets. There are several companies that will punch out sets - they have a minimum order but that is usually easily met. :brow

Glad yours are okay! :D

[JimKwiatkowski]

Fred,why did you have your heads off so close to the time of the convention?

[SS425HP]

Put new valves in, along with new springs and retainers. They had been together for 8 years, and springs get weak after a while. Just wanted to freshen it up a bit. Had planned on running it at KC, but we all know what happened. Didn't want to get beat on too bad, so just redid the heads. Ray and I were going to square off. Can't have a 60 beat up on a 63, you know. Now Ray will just have to wait to see how bad it would have been. :brow ;)

Fred

[DIV1RACER-2]

Fred,


Best header gaskets i have found are the ones Showcars have. There thicker & are not stiff so the don't break when you take them off . I have reused several times. :)


Denny