[1965tripleblack]

I am using Mr Gasket 5800 composition type head gaskets, and both the heads and decks have been surfaced. Please tell me what the stainless steel rings that are adjacent to the bore edges are called, and also, what is their significance. Are they rolled (clamped) in place, or are they solid. The reason I ask, is that I used a Dremel grinder to remove about 003" of the stainless rings adjacent to the valve reliefs in order to exactly match the contour of my (cast iron) head's combustion chambers. I notice that the stainless rings seem to be double layered (crimped or rolled around the edge), and I'd like to know whether or not it is acceptable for me to have done so (grind the ring). Or did I compromise the gasket.
Thanks in advance.
Joe

 

[Rogers Performance]

That is called the fire ring i have seen guys do this but if you cut into far it will burn threw. The fire ring keeps the hot combustion gases in the chamber when it fails combustion gases can cut into the block and head.

 

[1965tripleblack]

I'm using iron 461 heads which have been race ported. The chambers are opened around the intakes, and in 2 cylinders, this left a few thou gasket overhang at the fie rings. The block has also been relieved to match the heads. I removed a small amount of the fire ring in these two cylinders adjacent to the intake valves. The amount of removal was probably no more than .004-.005, about 1" the length of the 2 involved fire rings. The only thing that concerns me, is that in the areas of grinding, I see a widening of the fire ring thickness, and a small seam shows up where they are sandwiched together.

 

[Rogers Performance]

I would be worried of burn threw there. I would look for a different gasket.