head gaskets question
 

I had to remove my heads due to the left bank having bubbles surfacing in the coolant with it running and the hoses removed and the belt off the water pumps. The motor is a 59a with Edmunds heads and 2x2 intake bore is 3 3/8. I had Victor 3036 copper gaskets on it . The gasket on the left bank looks to have some discoloration where it has leaked and #5 piston the carbon is missing in the same area so I think this is the problem. I'll drop the heads off at the machine shop to get the surface checked. So my question is should I stay with the copper gaskets or try the graph tite gaskets? Has anyone have any luck with these gaskets or any other gasket that does a better job? Thanks guys.

Re: head gaskets question
 

Big bore copper gaskets will work well if the mating surfaces on the head and block are serviceable.It does sound like the heads need to be surfaced.Your shop should confirm that.

Ronnie

Re: head gaskets question
 

I have used the graphtite with out problems. www.bestgasket.com
they have a big bore set.

Re: head gaskets question
 

Have then skimmed cut to give .050" piston to head clearance, coat the gaske t with Hi-tach torque heads to 45 ftlbs don't care what gaskets you use.

Re: head gaskets question
 

I like graphtite... ALSO check the block, if it's flat check next to studs, they can pull up the casting right around them... This can be fixed with a long, new, sharp file. Remove studs, file diagonally in a cross patern- then chamfer holes and reinstall studs- not a small job... put grease around pistons to trap filings... Karl

Re: head gaskets question
 

Make sure the studs are threaded down past where they need to be,I kept having a Head Gasket problem and the 2nd time discovered someone had replaced a stud that was almost threaded to proper depth,appeared to torque down but needed three more threads.just a simple fix after finding it.