What is the difference between the Felpro 1003 and the 1010. The 1003 uses a steel wire reinforcement and is .041" thick, the 1010 uses copper and is .039" thick. Other than that are they identical? Is there an advantage of one over the other?
The Fel-Pro 1010 gasket (flatten copper wire) is used with aluminum heads/blocks where as the 1003 gasket with flatten steel wire is for use with cast iron heads/blocks.
Using the Fel-Pro 1003 gasket on an engine with a cast iron block and aluminum heads increases the possibility that the flatten steel wire reinforcement will form indentations the aluminum heads because the steel wire is harder than the aluminum mating surface(s).
That makes sense and I see the 1010's recommended for Al heads, but I also see the 1003's recommended for Al heads. I'll be using AFR heads and they recommend the 1003, but I prefer the 1010 for it's slightly smaller compressed thickness.
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Felpro Head Gaskets, I'm Confused
