I have a 406 with factory deck height(not zero deck), I've read alot about quench height on this site. What head gasket are you guys using to get the proper quench with a 400 with aluminum cylinder heads?

Kirk, normal factory deck is anywhere from .020-.030, depending on many factors. If you have the head off, bring the piston to TDC and set a feeler gauge in the piston hole and match up with block, that would give you a +- ballpark figure. More likely you are in the .020's and best you can do is a .015-.017 metal shim gasket. I have heard guys do this with alloy heads. This would put you close to the .035-.045 desired quench, but if you have dished pistons, its not gonna matter as some pistons don't have a deck if the are dished all the way around. You did not say what pistons you have. Hope this helps.

Thanks Don, I have 4 valve relief flat top pistons. When I pull the heads I'll measure. As all ways you guys are abig help. Thanks!

Take Fel-pro's #1094's and mock her up and then reach up inside her with a sharp scribe and mark where they overhang all the bores.

Then very carefully, hand remove the excess metal, drill steam holes and go!!

I did this to a set of Mr. Gasket, .020" thick steel 350 engine shims years ago and ran them on my 406 fine!!

I coated them up good w/ CopperCote and re-torqued them like three times over as many days, daily driving her to make sure everything was fine AND it was. The third re-torque check was probably over-kill!

pdq67

Take Fel-pro's #1094's and mock her up and then reach up inside her with a sharp scribe and mark where they overhang all the bores.

Then very carefully, hand remove the excess metal, drill steam holes and go!!

I did this to a set of Mr. Gasket, .020" thick steel 350 engine shims years ago and ran them on my 406 fine!!

I coated them up good w/ CopperCote and re-torqued them like three times over as many days, daily driving her to make sure everything was fine AND it was. The third re-torque check was probably over-kill!

pdq67

You musta changed sealer brands, I thought you always used Permatex Indian head shellac.