Which Head Gasket?
 

Hey All,

I just finished installing new valves, guides, springs and clips. I noticed my head is cracked between #2&3 cylinder's. I cant find a good used ones near me, so it looks like I have to buy a 5:1 head, something I didn't want to do because my engine is far from being a spring chicken. It's stock with babbitt.

I bought the Best gasket # 509-G and was going to use it with my stock head, but now that I have to use the 5:1 head, ... can I still use the 509-G? If not, which gasket should I use?

Regards
Bill

Re: Which Head Gasket?
 

Snyder's says to use the 32-34 573-G with the 5.5 head. I honestly can't see the difference between the 509-G and the 573-G except for the extra holes in the 573.

I don't like the extra holes that go nowhere, so I use the 509-G with my 5.5 head, no issues.

BTW, I don't think the 5.5 head will bother your babbitt if it is in good condition to start with.

Re: Which Head Gasket?
 

There are plenty of people running high compression heads with graphite gaskets. I personally like copper better but it more depends on the installation.

Re: Which Head Gasket?
 

I have had the best luck with the Best brand graphite head gasket and KB copper spray gasket sealer. Whoever you buy the head from with recommend a head gasket.

A 5:1 head is not going to add that much stress to your engine. Driving at 45 mph with either the stock head or the 5:1 head is going to result in just about the same brake mean effective pressure. The only time the engine will see more pressure is when the pedal is to the metal, or wood in our case.

Re: Which Head Gasket?
 

573G with a 7.5 to 1 Winfield red head. If the crack between 2&3 cylinder is a straight crack connecting water passages you can run it, that’s a common crack on an A head.

Re: Which Head Gasket?
 

If you use your head or another used head,be sure and have it checked for flatness. I do that on new heads also,but thats just me.
I use Best head gaskets in my flathead and model A.

John