Another head gasket thread

[Pyro6]

Just got back from Maple Grove. A weekend cut short by a blown head gasket. This is the 2nd time I blew the compression ring at #6. It sounds like a spark plug blew out of it's bore. I use the OEM GM gaskets. I think I'm gonna try the Cometics this time. I was also wondering about switching to roller cam setup while it's apart. I'm gonna look at the lifter and cam wear real close. The damn thing was running so good. I practiced Friday night Grudge racing. I ran an 11.56 @ 116mph, right where I wanna be. I think I'm going to try to drink thru this one.

[Steve Wood]

as said before, read all the magic tricks to make the cometics not leak water...then be sure the block and the heads are ground, not milled, to a 50 or better ra finish

[Pyro6]

I can do the heads but not the block. I thought it was wierd that this is the 2nd time we blew out the gasket where it leaked external compression. Was thinking all the struggling we did last year started the whole process. Was wondering how many other people leaked external compression instead of on the coolant side? The last time I got GM gaskets I was told they're all gone. I have one left. Fel-Pro??

[Charlief1]

Well you could always go with the steel shims from Jason. RJC seem to have a good replacement.

[SuperSix]

Just got back from Maple Grove. A weekend cut short by a blown head gasket. This is the 2nd time I blew the compression ring at #6. It sounds like a spark plug blew out of it's bore. I use the OEM GM gaskets. I think I'm gonna try the Cometics this time. I was also wondering about switching to roller cam setup while it's apart. I'm gonna look at the lifter and cam wear real close. The damn thing was running so good. I practiced Friday night Grudge racing. I ran an 11.56 @ 116mph, right where I wanna be. I think I'm going to try to drink thru this one.

I think the key for the cometics is the surface prep - have you had the heads decked?

I have been researching head gaskets - I think the Victor Reinz are the same as the GM. (Did you tell me that, Steve?)  Seems a good amount of people have issues with the FelPro 9441T.

[Steve Wood]

Yeah...altho I have always used a single shim...if I were going composite, I would use Victors

Several have reported problems with the FP's in the last couple of years...

No matter what, both block and heads must be flat.

An eleven second car should not pop gaskets...of course, one bad injector, or one bad spot on head or block changes everything

[SuperSix]

I find it curious it's always #6?

[Steve Wood]

reason I mentioned an injector or a bad spot

[SuperSix]

What is a "Bad spot"?

[Steve Wood]

High, low, eroded by exhaust flame, rough, bolt hole threads pulled up....like a bad spot, you know? 

[SuperSix]

High, low, eroded by exhaust flame, rough, bolt hole threads pulled up....like a bad spot, you know? 

Well, I do now!

[Pyro6]

Just bout ready to pull the intake. The heads were new Champions when I assembled the engine, the block was prepped at a reputable machine shop. I was also wondering about proper head torque procedures. Once you use anything but factory gaskets, would the torque procedure be different? So I'm thinking: get away from composite gaskets. While I have it apart, my headers are about beat. Any recommendation s?

[Scoobum]

Norbs has gone low 10's with stock ported headers...not sure how fast you wanna go. Nothin' wrong with the stockers...jus t gotta find someone who really knows how to weld. I take all our customers to Norbs for welding...he can weld with da' best of 'em...and we've never had one crack from him yet. Make sure you bolt 'em to an old head or a thick piece of steel before welding...ot they'll turn into a pretzel.

[Scoobum]

I've only used stock and 9441PT head gaskets...so I can't help you about Cometics or RJC's.

[$1987 GN$]

Norbs has gone low 10's with stock ported headers...not sure how fast you wanna go. Nothin' wrong with the stockers...jus t gotta find someone who really knows how to weld. I take all our customers to Norbs for welding...he can weld with da' best of 'em...and we've never had one crack from him yet. Make sure you bolt 'em to an old head or a thick piece of steel before welding...ot they'll turn into a pretzel.

Is Norb's your girlfriend or something?
I attempted to PM you but you have it blocked so I asked the question here.

AJ___