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440 Head Gaskets, Which will serve my application best? Suggestions?

68 Chris

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I am about to put the heads back on my 440. It's not a racing engine it's pretty stock besides a valve job that will give me a few extra horses. Are there any gaskets that I should look at specifically? Or just get a FELPRO Performance gasket?:spam4:

Chris
 
unless you mill the hell out of the heads I don't think just head gaskets your going to tell the deference.I buy mine from 440 source.
 
Quick correction, it has a large Purple Cam and the heads are getting decked but nothing serious. I was just wondering if there was a superior gasket that I could use that was better than the average gasket. Or is the average gasket going to do the trick? No leaks and good compression is all I'm looking for.

Chris
 
don't use the fel-pro 1009. you should be fine with the fel-pro 8519.
 
If you're not tight on piston to valve clearance!You could use the steel shim gasket!It will up the cr a little.
 
The Fel-Pro 8519PT1 head gasket that comes in the KS-2110 gasket kit ($58 for the entire engine gasket kit minus valley tray gasket) works really well for most applications. They are almost $20/each, so buying the KS-2110 kit is a deal. I use these quite a bit as they come in the kit, and don't need to re-torque. I had them on an 11:1 compression 600 HP 451 stroker engine with no problems.
The 8519 gasket is about 0.040" thick, with a large bore of about 4.50", so it is about 10.4cc.

Other options:
The Fel Pro performance head gasket 1009 is slightly small bore size and advertised at 9.9cc volume, but they cost about $44/each.
The Cometic MLS head gaskets are about the best, and come in various thicknesses and bore size, but cost around $90+/each, and are re-useable. I have these on my 12.4:1 compression 500" stroker that makes near 700 HP.

The Mopar performance steel shim head gasket #P4286754 is a 4.38" bore, 0.020" thick (about 5cc volume) that could be used to up the compression a bit, and cost $22/each.
Or Mr. Gasket 4.40" x 0.020" thick (still about 5cc) for $20 each.
The steel head gaskets should be preped with copper coat gasket sealer, and re-torqued after the first few heat cycles on the engine.
 
Much Appreciated!
Thanks for the run down 451Mopar. I'm looking at all my options and don't really know the difference and what applications these gaskets are used for. Champion performance who is doing the head work volunteered to get me a set of gaskets for me. They told me they would set me up. Your information is priceless. Thanks for the post. I am looking for Wires as well. Mopar Performance has a 7mm set. Orig OEM equipmet. Are the larger MM wires better? I have almost all stock equipment. The Engine is bored 30 over and I am having a valve job done at the moment. factory manifolds. Would it make sense to get the MSD 8.5 mm wires? Will I get a better spark with larger wires?
 
Much Appreciated!
Thanks for the run down 451Mopar. I'm looking at all my options and don't really know the difference and what applications these gaskets are used for. Champion performance who is doing the head work volunteered to get me a set of gaskets for me. They told me they would set me up. Your information is priceless. Thanks for the post. I am looking for Wires as well. Mopar Performance has a 7mm set. Orig OEM equipmet. Are the larger MM wires better? I have almost all stock equipment. The Engine is bored 30 over and I am having a valve job done at the moment. factory manifolds. Would it make sense to get the MSD 8.5 mm wires? Will I get a better spark with larger wires?

The diameter of the spark plug wires is not as important as the quality.
The MSD wires are a good spark plug wire. I think they are sprial wound 50-Ohm per foot (low resistance, and RFI supression.)
The wire cover and boots seem to withstand heat and abrasion well.
I used to run the less expensive taylor sprial-pro wires, but they did not hold up well. The soft silicone covers would tear easy, and a few boots burnt.
I don't care for the ACCEL spark plug wires, had too many bad "Super Stock" wires sets.
I hear the FireCore wires are good, but have not tried them:
https://www.customwiresets.com/home.php
 
I used the Mopar .020 steel shim head gaskets on my 451 just last week. Sprayed Copper coat on them as 451 said to do. I used to use Aluminum spray paint with them, and never had a problem, even with 13 to 1 C/R. Last heads I took off my 440, the bolts had all loosened up. Was using Mr Gasket .020 steel shim with out any type of sealer. They are pre coated. Didn't re torque them after a few heat cycles though. But I will now! Good luck!
 
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