MOXIE62

I need a full engine gasket set for my 62 327 engine. What brand of gaskets do you guys recommend? Ebay has a set for $30 Mr gasket #7100 with replaces Fel Pro KS2600. Sound like a cheap price for a full engine overall but maybe because of the volume he sells he can sell them that cheap. Also when you install a headgasket, do you spray any type of sealant on them. I so not know if the head gaskets are composite type gaskets or not. I know that’s what I used on flathead ford engines because they seal better.

1snake

I don't know about the Mr. Gasket brand kit. All the gaskets I buy are in Fel-Pro boxes and have the blue Perma-Torque head gaskets. I've been using them for decades. No sealer, no re-torquing required.

Jim

LB66383

babbah

Ironcross

purchase the 'KS Felpro brand as they are the same as the 'FS Felpro kits only cheaper and considered the 'engine builders kits not normally known by customers without a sales tax number....if you would open both boses they both contain the same identical gaskets....

Westlotorn

The KS kits are missing many of the external gaskets, Carb gasket etc which are included in the FS sets.

The KS is a very good set and the set of choice I use also but there is a difference. If you don't mind chasing misc gaskets it is not an issue to use the KS.

Fel Pro also offers an upgrade set if desired. Includes The Perma Dry Plus Valve covers, Oil Pan and Water Outlet gaskets that work far better and are re useable but won't pass a Judging event.

The also have many options to upgrade the head gasket if your engine is better than stock.

muncieman

Fel Pro is the gasket of choice for most applications. The original head gaskets were steel shim about .021 thick compresed. They made a .017 thick version of the same gasket. A lot depends on total deck and if you are looking for max compression. As for a sealer, none on the Fel Pro blue, copper coat on the steel shims.

Westlotorn

In Fel-Pro you can choose:
1094 Steel Shim just like factory .015 thick
7733PT2 Standard Head Gasket .039 thick
501SD Super Duty .041 thick, much tougher than stock but not quite a race gasket

The 501SD resists detonation damage 3 x better than the standard 7733 PT2 for very little increase in cost. On our HP 327 engines it is a very good upgrade.
Most shops don't carry them but can order them in usually within one day.

Several Race gaskets are available for the small block GM depending on your heads and power level. 1003, 1004 and many more specific to certain heads and bores.

MLS Multi Layer Steel Designs
1142-026 MLS Gasket .026 thick
1142 .041 thick MLS Design

The MLS head gaskets are identical in construction to what is used on todays new Vette engines, these can hold more power than any gasket ever made for production use.
Tested at Bonnyville in a Twin Turbo Small block making 2200 HP, used in Nascar etc.
They are great, just expensive. MLS will run probably 65.00 per side, blind guess but close I think. You can get a whole gasket set for less than that but if you want the best these are the best. Note: the head and block deck must be smooth to run these, less than 60 RA, if you don't know what that is check with your machine shop. A rough surface is about the only thing that kills an MLS design.

Scott Marzahl

Westlotorn, is there much difference between the 501SD and the 1003, my understanding is the 1003 is a better gasket?

Westlotorn

1003 is a stronger gasket for racing. To make the fire ring resist detonation better the 1003 gives up a little sealing on the water ports, for racing #1 priority is combustion seal.

You may see a small seep using 1003's of coolant. Does not happen often but may happen. The 501SD will not do that but has a slightly less robust combustion seal.

This is the high performance trade off. The 501SD is a great gasket for stock to mild high performance in street engines. I would guess less than 525 HP 327 they would be great.
The stock gasket would be good to 400 + horse power.

If you are boosting the engine with Nitros, Blower or Turbo you will need to move up to Race gaskets or the MLS.

The Nitro boys still run a wire lock ring machined into the head and block for seal as far as I know.

BLOCKMAN

We use alot of the 1003 gaskets over the years and so far zero leaks. Also if used on the older blocks there is one hole in each deck that has to be drilled.