headgasket crush thickness
 

Mostly a question for Ron, but anyone chime in.

I'm looking for the compressed thickness of a fiber head gasket, not a copper one. Anyone have that info so I can do the squish test to find out how much to mill off?

Re: headgasket crush thickness
 

That's impossible to say with accuracy. The only sure way is to put your new gaskets on, torque 'em down, then remove and measure. Every brand will be different, even whether you're torqueing to 45lbs as Ol Ron recommends, or 55lbs as most books recommend will make a difference. Also remember when you mill the heads, you will probably have to re-dome the chambers, assuming you're running domed pistons. Please don't ask me how I know this.....

Re: headgasket crush thickness
 

Just removed a set of Felpro's measured .057"

Re: headgasket crush thickness
 

Ditto, on an 8BA, torqued to 65. Measured at the fire rings.

Re: headgasket crush thickness
 

That's what I need to know. I am going with a nice round number, .060. I'm doing this to an 8BA with 8BA heads so I am guessing I will be ballpark. Gotta get some shim material so I can get a baseline.

Also, thanks Bassman. I will check crown after milling as well. I'm not in a big hurry to get things done so if I have to take them back to the machine shop, I'm not going to be heartbroken.