steel head gasket recommendations

[dhen]

I read float's writeup about how Cometic head gaskets are problematic to seal on a CA. Does anyone have a brand they could recommend.

Also, I heard that steel head gaskets are reusable. Is this correct? (I know that you never reuse a normal one.)

Thanks

[tommey]

I like the Tomei gasket.
Some people reuse them, and it works great.

[mdb4879]

I personally wouldn't bother with an MLS head gasket. They're tougher to get to seal than most people think, I believe. That 40RA recommendation is bare minimum. You really need closer to a 10RA for it to seal perfectly (40RA is about like a finish from a 120-grit sanding stone and is comparable to a fresh hone on a cylinder. 10RA is like a 400-600 grit finish). Motors with factory MLS head gaskets have about a 9-16RA for their spec. At least this is what I remember reading.

Anyways, normal cylinder pressure doesn't blow head gaskets. Detonation does (excessive cylinder pressure). Among other things such as warpage and uneven or insufficient clamping force. But increased power levels are the reason most people go to an MLS head gasket, even though it typically isn't warranted.

[tommey]

I agree, stock gasket and bolts support 500hp easy.
However I don't fully agree on how hard it is to get a steel gasket to seal.
They require finer finish, no doubt but a competent machinist will have no trouble getting that finish.
I recommend using stock gasket when people blow a headgasket and are just machining the head.

[float_6969]

If I could have used a Felpro on this rebuild, I would have. Unfortunately, boring out to 84.5mm and using a stock style HG wasn't a possibility, so I HAD to go with a MLS and I'm not paying for a damn Tomei, so I got a Cometic. I think most of the issues with them sealing have been sorted out. As long as you're machinist is familiar with them (mine was very aware of the necessity for a very smooth finish and had the tool you need to be able to measure the RA and showed me that he had finished the head and block at about 15RA) so that you have the correct finish and flatness, and you tighten your bolt/studs properly, they should seal just fine.

But all of that being said, I would always suggest a stock style HG (I have the most experience with Felpro) if you can use it. They ALWAYS seal and I've never seen/hear of one failing due to power levels.

[dhen]

Thanks everyone. Stock HG it is. I just wanted to cover my bases while the head is off.

[boost_boy]

That was easy . Beck/Arnley is just as good if not better than the Felpro, so don't go busting your head open and at the same time delaying putting your engine back together because you can't find a Felpro H/G. And if an AJUSA brand is available, that one is just as good as well as the others.

[dhen]

Always appreciate the feedback, Dee. It's never nice to replace stuff that was working, but I'm turning this into a positive and cleaning up grubby intakes, removing those heater coolant lines under the intake that I never use, and stuff like that.

The head is being resurfaced everything looks good.