[67FREAK]

i am installing dart aluminum heads on my 377, does anyone have any suggestions on headgaskets? can i use the steel shim gasket on them? and what are opinions on drilling for steam holes. i had my iron heads drilled for steam holes, just wondered if i should do it on these. car see's very little street use. thanks, David

[67 Plum]

Steel shim gasket and aluminum heads is not good.You need a composite gasket.

[Silver69Camaro]

If it sees little street use, then I wouldn't worry about the steam holes. Just have a good radiator to take care of any cooling issues. My 412ci never gets above 195* with a stock pump and an aluminum radiator.

[Greg O]

Go ahead and drill the steam holes. It's pretty simple and worth peace of mind if nothing else.

I believe I used the Fel Pro 1014 400 head gasket on mine.

[pdq67]

I think it has been mentioned that some guy's are using Fel-pro's .015" thick rubber coated steel shim headgasket with aluminum heads OK.

Maybe somebody will chime in on this?

They may be too small bore-wise tho??

I have hand fit 350 motor .022" steel shims so I could run them on my 406 with cast-iron heads years ago and they worked fine.

pdq67

[68rs406]

mines an aluminum head/400, i use a felpro 1014 as well, i've had good luck with it.
and unless all you'll do is idle around town all the time, steam holes are unecessary really, just more holes in your block. definately not needed on any hotter street car, imo. but, if you just gotta, the 1014 has steam holes as well. good luck with it

[CarlC]

Gasket thickness is dependant on what you wish your final quench dimension to be.

After determining what thickness gasket is required you can narrow down your choices. In many cases a standard gasket may work. In others, more specialized gaskets may be necessary. Cometic makes some very nice custom gaskets if a special thickness is needed.

[BillK]

67,
The Dart heads should have documentation with them that lists a head gasket number to use. Why would you use anything else ?????????