Snyders 5.5 high compression head

[BRENT in 10-uh-C]

Originally Posted by larrys40

Snyders recommends the composition head gasket. I have used many of them and it has the probability to fail . My preference is the BEST brand B head gasket for it. It use 55 lbs torque as a final torque in increments of 35,45,55.

I don't use a gasket on the water neck but surface it on my head resurfacer or belt sander and check for flat, use a good skim of RTV black and torque it like the others. Haven't ever had any issues doing that. If you use the Best brand composition gasket I use a coat of "copper coat on each side. The red silicone style is used as is.

Torque the head again shortly after 1st run and then a couple of times there after. I usually do 3 rounds and it should be good for a while.

Enjoy the head.. you will be glad you got it!
Larry Shepard

Larry, those new head gaskets will work fine however I believe the issue is that most 'A/B' rebuilders do not have the proper equipment to be able to use them. It takes a Surfacer with a CBN (-or better yet, a PCD) cutter spinning at 1000+ RPM producing an RA finish in the mid-twenties. That allows the surface to be smooth enough where there is not any weeping.

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