PeteZ28

Hey guys, I was wondering if anyone had any experience with these .015 rubber coated steel shim gaskets Fel Pro makes? I was thinking of using them to get as much quench effect as possible (pistons are .030 down the bores) and get the CR I'm looking for ~9.7 with Edelbrock aluminum heads. Any body use these successfully?

Thank
Pete Cento, 84Z28

Mark A Shields

I asked a similar question a while ago. You're right about quench area, but some on here would never use that thin of a gasket on an engine, I have found a few that said it would be ok, so it will be a mixed opinion.

I went with the Mr . Gasket .020 gasket for a little more thickness.

Chris Etemadi

Im using the .015 rubber embosed steel shims. and having no problems. I did it for the same reason you did, I didnt have the block decked, so the pistons were in the hole. But as long as your deck and head surface are flat and very smooth, you will be good.

F-BIRD'88

I have used them many times before.
I'm going to use them this spring on my 12.65:1 350.

They work fine. If you're going to have trouble with head gaskets you will have trouble.
Just check your heads for straightness and clean surfaces before installation.

U can also retorque the head bolts after a few heat cycles.

Engine knock, ping and detonation as well as over-heating the motor are the main causes of head gasket failure.

five7kid

iTrader: (14)

That's what I used, because: a) World said to use 350 gaskets, and b) the factory uses thin gaskets and I wanted to keep the CR up.

But, you said aluminum heads. I don't believe they are recommended for aluminum.

PeteZ28

Thanks for the help. The tech guy at Scoggin-Dickey said they were intended for alum or iron heads. It may be a good idea
to ask Edelbrock. I guess I'll have to think about it some more. My block does have some pitted spots around some of the coolant holes. Maybe I'll go for the .020 Mr. Gaskets or even the .028 GM composition. Both would still be an improvement over the usual .040.

Thanks
Pete Cento, 84Z28

ULTM8Z

I've never heard of steel shim gaskets being used on aluminum heads.

You could try GM's 10105117 gasket. It's only .028 thick and will net you a little increase in compression. The thing is, it's GM and it's for aluminum heads. I'm running them on my ZZ4 and they work great.

PeteZ28

Yeah the GM 10105117 was my next choice. Sounds like it would be safer way to go and I'd still be at around a 9.5 CR and .012 more quench squeeze than standard gaskets.

Thanks
Pete Cento

ronterry

I figured that with my 64cc Edelbrock heads & Flattop pistons, I would have around 9.7:1 using Fel-Pro 1010. These gaskets use an aluminum o rings instead of steel which might dig into your heads.
I think the 1010's are .039??? I can't remember the quench, but the pistons are flat tops w/4 relieves.

Ron

PeteZ28

Ron

It also depends on how far the pistons are below the deck at TDC. You'll probably be closer to 10:1. Actually I'm using the 70cc heads because I was going to use the .015 gasket. That would have been about 9.75. If I go with the .028 composition it will be about 9.5. Really from the dyno tests I"ve looked at a few tenths change in CR either way is a few horsepower. I may see if I can use the cheaper 87 or 89 gas since this is a street car and I drive alot of miles.

Pete
84Z28