Big Block cylinder head gasket recommendations

[Volksnut]

A '65 413 to be exact, should I find another steel shim (1851579) like it had or use a more modern type. The shim was thin coming in at .015 and bore is standard so that might limit my choices.

 

[Nate S]

If you want the original compression ratio use a steel shim again. Easy to be had and usually .018-.020”. If you were knocking a bit then go thicker with something like a fel-pro at .040”

 

[Lefty71]

Steel shim gaskets should still be available, or were relatively recently. They were about .020". If you are worried about leakage for any reason, Cometic makes high tech MLS style in very thin to thicker sizes for your application if you need to keep manipulate desired compression, but they are expensive.

 

[69Bee]

I just sold my last pair to a member here, and besides ebay (EXPENSIVE), they are pretty much sold out everywhere currently. You could go cometic with a thickness of 0.027".Cometic Gasket - Sealed Under Extreme Pressure

 

[68Dart470]

No reason to go to cometics unless it's high compression and you may not have the correct deck finish. Also they're way out I'm told on production. Felpro makes several options. I actually ordered three different head gaskets in last couple days for my 400/470 just to see what actually shows up and what gets backordered.

Here's an old list compiled from another site that I've kept handy. ignore costs. This list is over a decade old and some options may not be available anymore.

Fel pro....

8519PT1-basic stock permatorque, no wire, eyebrows, iirc around .041-.044 compressed. good sized bore, will fit bores with large chamfers, good gasket for mild builds. $18 each

17059- this is the marine head gasket, 4.5 bore, no wire, .039 compressed, 10.3cc (stainless construction?) $49 each

1009-race gasket with wire, .039 compressed, 4.41 bore, 9.9cc, often will not work on >4.375 bore. $42 each

1039-race gasket with wire, .051 compressed, 4.59 bore, 13.7cc, clear pretty much any bore or chamber. believe will fit wedge or hemi. $62 each

1095-no wire, steel core laminate, pro stock for the TS head, .051 compressed, 4.62 bore, 15cc $80 each

1105-race gasket with wire, .051 compressed, 4.59 bore, 13.7cc wedge only. $74 each.

mopar performance....

P4349559- race gasket no wire, .040 compressed 4.38 bore, 9.8cc. i thought this was the 1009 but it isn't as it has no wire. $60 pair

P4529455- race, no wire, eyebrows, .038 compressed, 4.42 bore, 9.55cc. $74 pair

victor reinz 3464SG (nitroseal)-performance, .045 compressed, 4.43 bore, 11.1cc. they also have MLS offerings in their performance catalog probably made by another manufacture

victor reinz 3464VC, listed as VR2000 construction. good luck finding any more about this one

detroit gasket(corteco?)-55655HG race, no wire, eyebrows, .038 compressed, 4.42 bore, 9.55cc same as P4529455

ROL HG31130HT- race, eyebrows?, .045 compressed, 4.505 bore, 11.8cc

edelbrock 7325-.038 compressed, 4.45 bore, 9.969cc. $62pair

 

[padam]

I got Superformance steel shim .022 gaskets from Marsh Performance a couple of weeks ago. They were the only steel shim gaskets I could find that were reasonably priced.