Head gaskets for small-blocks

[Knowledge]

I need a head gasket for a small block, 65mm. It uses the traditional 4 stud arrangement.

Who offers head-gaskets of 65mm. I know I could alter a traditional one, but I am so busy with other stuff at the moment, I haven't time.

[humble]

Knowledge

I have a load of head gaskets in the workshop, will take a look later and let you know if I have one

Cheers
humble

[Knowledge]

Thanks H. That is a very thoughtful offer.

The thickness is not important, as I am yet tom machine the head to suit.

Are there any suppliers out there who can supply a quantity, as I will need more than one, knowing my luck.

[Adam_Winstone]

If you are machining the head, what on earth are you considering a head gasket for?! A head gasket is simply a weak link to fail/blow and with your knowledge, ability and skills you should be able to design out this weak link.

Adam

[holty]

If you are machining the head, what on earth are you considering a head gasket for?! A head gasket is simply a weak link to fail/blow and with your knowledge, ability and skills you should be able to design out this weak link.

Adam

Good point Adam, maybe add a groove to the head when it's in your lathe so you can use an o-ring to make sure no leaks

[Knowledge]

I agree that head gaskets have a record of failure. Buyer beware.

My piston is level with the top of the barrel at TDC, so a head centralised in the bore is not an option.

My current head does not have a gasket, but keeps blowing, as documented elsewhere. I can't machine my current head any more and there is still the possibility that the leaking head is caused by too much material being removed, so it distorts. The new head would have more meat left on it.

I thought I would try an ali gasket with a (possibly stronger) new head to see if this gasket could address any discrepancies in the tolerances that are causing issues. This is why I was asking elsewhere if any one bothered to anneal their head gaskets.

Whilst I am about to strip my latest blowing head to investigate the cause (yes, it might be the infamous ali head nuts), I wanted to get parts together so I could get a head machined up while I am in the machine shop with the big lathe this weekend. I was just trying to line up options ahead of stripping the top end.

It is a bit late to get the gasket before the weekend now, so I might have to put my plans back. At least I might know more about the head, as I would have stripped it by then.

Holty. An O ring is an interesting idea. I might consider that instead.

[holty]

I think that an o-ring would be just the ticket, if your piston is level with the top of the barrel then you can machine the correct amount of chamber into your head and optimise your squish,and don't worry about a gasket any more, nothing worse than a thin gasket, they blow far too easy.you could always add some 3 bond as well or some studlock, and you should be able to run without blowing, you can groove the barrel or head whichever is easier to do.

[Wack]

Having a lathe I never fit a head gasket but the tempered MB ones are the best I've found. Another option is to machine the cylinder top face but leave a 3-4 mm spigot at the edge of the bore, then machine a groove in the head. Obviously you would need a mandrill to mount the cylinder though so maybe not practical.

[hullygully]

AF's do 2 sizes I think, as I picked 2 up for a mates 185 the other week, I think 0.5mm & 0.8mm???

[Knowledge]

Thanks for the suggestion of MB gaskets, but I have bought some O ring material, so I am going down this route.

Thanks all.