Piston identification

[eran tomer]

Suppose I get one of those thin gaskets. Will the intake manifold still fit between the heads? And the a/c and alternator brackets?

 

[Schurkey]

Suppose I get one of those thin gaskets. Will the intake manifold still fit between the heads? And the a/c and alternator brackets?

You'd probably want two of those gaskets. They may come as a pair, or individually--I don't remember and I'm too lazy to look.

I wouldn't expect any problem with parts fitment.

Have you already assembled the engine? If so, and especially if you've got .026 compressed-thickness gaskets, I'd have a hard time justifying ripping it all apart again. Drive it and see how it works. Tear it apart only if there's a pinging problem--high knock sensor readings leading to retarded ignition timing shown on the scan tool.

If you haven't assembed the engine, I'd be buying the Fel-Pro gaskets at .015; although the cheaper Fel-Pros are certainly acceptable if you spray 'em with gasket sealer or aluminum spray paint. The Mr Gasket steel shims are coated like the more expensive Fel-Pros, but are thicker at .020.

 

[PlayingWithTBI]

I'd be buying the Fel-Pro gaskets at .015; although the cheaper Fel-Pros are certainly acceptable if you spray 'em with gasket sealer or aluminum spray paint.

Yeah, on any metal gasket, even Fel-Pro says to use some kind of sealant. When I did years ago, I used Loctite Hi-Tack in a spray can - sticky stuff!

 

[Schurkey]

The expensive Fel-Pro and the Mr Gasket steel-shim head gaskets are already coated with a (transparent) plastic membrane. No added sealer needed or desired.

The less-expensive Fel-Pros are uncoated, need aluminum spray paint or some kind of gasket sealer.

 

[eran tomer]

Have you already assembled the engine? If so, and especially if you've got .026 compressed-thickness gaskets, I'd have a hard time justifying ripping it all apart again. Drive it and see how it works. Tear it apart only if there's a pinging problem--high knock sensor readings leading to retarded ignition timing shown on the scan tool.

I've assembled the cylinder heads. One gasket was damaged while putting the head down, until I learned to use a guiding stud, which seems you can't do without, and still I went on torquing the bolts. Then I decided to do this head again so it's dismantled right now.

With the old fel pro gaskets, I was getting several dozens knock readings but 0 spark retard.

 

[95burban]

Yeah, on any metal gasket, even Fel-Pro says to use some kind of sealant. When I did years ago, I used Loctite Hi-Tack in a spray can - sticky stuff!

Hi-tack has a cool transparent red look too. I’ve used copper coat also but I have Never used aluminum spray paint, that’s a new one one me.