what gaskets are needed and does anyone have the part numbers.
For the 86/87 cars, see http://www.gnttype.org/numbers/8687pn.html for the GM kit that includes everything.
thanks found that
Would like advice on head gaskets.
I'm rebuilding the engine to my 84 T-type and am
not sure which is the best route to follow on
head gasket selection. The owner of a well-known
and competent engine machine shop in my home
city swore AT Felpro but swore BY Detroit gasket
company. The stock gaskets in my car's engine are
steel. (& had blown due to overboost)
I'm using pistons with stock compression
but the Detroit gaskets are thicker so now I'm
concerned about lower than 8.0:1 static
compression. I'm also using new TTY head bolts.
Should I stay with the stock set up?
I've read the info on the website but I'm not
convinced that Felpro or even the same thickness
Detroit version is the correct way to go.
I WANT TO AVOID BLOWN HEAD GASKETS!
This is a daily driver with many upgrades
(turbo, ATR exhaust, fuel PR, fuel pump &
hot-wire, injectors, coil, K. Bell valvetrain &
ported heads, engine coatings, ad nauseum)
Thanks for the help.
We all want to avoid blown head gaskets. Based upon my "wall" of used head gaskets, the steels seem the best in my years of doing the V-6 Buick motors.
Not to knock engine builders, but some are very opinionated but not in touch with specifics in the real world. This may or may not be the case with the one you are doing business?
Most Buick guys working with motors have seen that the advertised compression ratio is less than actual in a stock motor. As good as the steels head gaskets have worked for us, I would go with them. [We have used and blown Felpro AND Detroits!]
Thanks Nick.
I figured GM knew what they were doing
when they used steel gaskets but I wanted
to hear from an experienced person.
I'm assuming that o-ringing is not
compatible with the stock gaskets.
True?
Hey Im no professional engine builder but.....I have run felpro pn#1000(I think) in my 84gn. run upwards of 18-20lbs of boost and no headgasket failure has occoured(@4yrs) Its a shame I had to tear the motor down for a broken oil pressure relief spring failure. sam
I use felpro #1000 at 20 psi had them in for three yrs. now. I believe there actuly for a stage 1 block and heads. these hold I have blown alot of others.
Gasket composition has very little to do with durability when installed properly. Boost pressure isn't what blows head gaskets, cylinder pressure and/or detonation are what does that.
I don't know who ever started that thinking that (x) PSI of boost = blown head gasket, but it is incorrect in both my experience, and the laws of physics. Detonation at 10 PSI can hammer bearings, as can detonation at 30 PSI. Same applies to head gaskets. I use FelPro 1000's and I also use head studs vs. head bolts. I use the 1000's because the stock gasket = a piece of crap, and the chambers on my heads have been relieved such that the stock gasket doesn't fit properly.
If you install head gaskets properly, run enough fuel and don't detonate the p i s s out of the motor, you should be fine. Get silly and you'll be replacing head gaskets, bottom line.
This thread also calls to mind the importance of proper pistons also. I had Jack Roush Racing build an engine for my WE4, and after blowing a piston instead of blowing a gasket, (my fault) we had the engineer that did the original piston design inspect the piston. He immediately identified it as a non-turbo piston. The deck was too thin. With a little more work, we found out that it was a NA .030" over 305 CID Chevy piston. The next guy that built my engine has built 100s of Turbo engines. (Bruce at Aggressive Performance) I'm way faster now with no knock. I've been beating the heck out of this engine and it just asks for more. Just a word to the wise, Always go to a Buick expert. The big name guys don't always build the best product.