[Steve B]

I am getting ready to install the heads on my 292 rebuild project. The block was decked .020" and the pistons are still anywhere from .015-.020" down the hole. I realize this isn't ideal, but that's what I've got. I will be using the medium comression "C" heads that will be milled about .020" to clean up warpage and rust. With a steel gasket (.018" compressed), compression would be in the 9-9.5:1 range. Engine will be using rams horn exhaust manifolds for dual exhaust and an Edelbrock 500 carb.

I have a gasket set manufactured by Best Gasket, which contains a fiberglass (?) head gasket set. Uncompressed thickness is .057". I don't know the compressed thickness of this gasket. There are a couple of steel shim gaskets sets on Ebay right now, and I wondered if they would be a good choice for my set up (they are not manufactured anymore). The reason I am asking is that I wonder about how quench affects an engine's ability to resist detonation. I understand the quench theory, but wonder when increased compression (a little higfher with the steel gasket) begins to offset the quenching effect. I had detonation trouble before the rebuild, and was trying to increase my quench by decking the block.

Also-what about the long term reliability of the steel gaskets? Do they need re-torquing? Copper coat on both sides before installing?
Thanks guys-
SB

[BOBCRMAN@aol.com]

Ideal quench is .040 so you would be closer with the shim gaskets, Chevrolet used them for years, no retorque, I've used them many times, usually I just spray them with aluminum paint just before install, never had a problem, the paint just insures that there is no liquid seepage.

[Steve B]

Thanks- It sounds like I would be really close to ideal quench if I use the steel gaskets. This isn't a Chevy though-hopefully that .040" is an "ideal" that can work for Fords too! When you say "aluminum paint"-do you mean common hardware store spray paint or is there a special aluminum paint I would need to find? Single coat? Let it dry first?

[BOBCRMAN@aol.com]

Common Aluminum(Chrome silver) I just let it tack up then install them.