by Warkton Tornado No.1 » Thu Apr 16, 2026 6:31 pm
It’s probably something like up to 50 years since I utilised a head gasket, regardless of the state of tune. That can make for changes to the head or barrel & selection of base gasket thicknesses, but - as has been said - usually the squish tends to benefit, besides obviating the incidence of gasket failure.
The squish is important as the minimum practicable head to piston clearance ensures that the head is better able to conduct heat from the piston crown. As opinions vary upon what a minimum squish should be, I won’t state my preference, but it would be dependant upon the state of the crankshaft/con-rod & the bearings.
Obviously, the reduction in squish will have an effect upon the compression ratio, which should conform to parameters that can also vary significantly not only due to opinion, but in the way that it is measured.
However, in my experience, whilst I stress the importance of checking the squish & compression ratio, it is usually the case that removal of the head gasket from an un-molested large frame engine will be of benefit & not detrimental to either.