[speedfreek]

I have read for days trying to find out the "right" quench distance. It seems .035-.045 is mostly mentioned, however I read last night a quote from John Lingenfelter that said .050-.060 is ok and safe. Well I just measured this engine that I'm building and the pistons are .025 in the hole and my gasket's comp thickness is .039 which brings my quench to .064. I think this is too much and would like to bring it down but I cannot find a gasket with the right comp thickness that I need. I have found a .016 and .039 but nothing in between. Can someone find me some that are .020-.025?

The shortblock is together and not coming apart. It is a std bore 350, it has not been decked, Mahle 4v flat tops and ported vortecs. The hyd roller cam is getting ground now and I don't know what the specs are going to be. Intake will be a Super Victor Vortec.

Although I have built hundreds of engines, this one I am trying to use to better myself and learn more by measuring everything. :yes:

 

[hhott71]

Felpro 1094 is the proper gasket. at 0.015" thick.

 

[speedfreek]

Felpro 1094 is the proper gasket. at 0.015" thick.

Thank you.

I have read that using gaskets that may be too thin like the ones that are .015''. It says that the deck surface must be perfect or the steel shim gaskets may leak. This gasket says it is a "rubber coated steel shim", will it be ok because my deck surface has the normal ruff spots. I am just trying to be on the safe side.

Is there somewhere that I can find a list of the different thicknesses of these gaskets for future use?

 

[BPOS]

I use this. A composite gasket @ .026 compressed.

http://www.cnc-motorsports.com/product.asp?ProdID=20108&CtgID=16808

 

[speedfreek]

I use this. A composite gasket @ .026 compressed.

http://www.cnc-motorsports.com/product.asp?ProdID=20108&CtgID=16808

Thanks for this one too.

My machine shop said to get a fel pro 7733PT. I have not talked to him yet about my quench though.

The bore on my gasket (7733) is 4.125''. I noticed the bore on the gaskets that yall mentioned is 4.100''. I think this would be better on my engine because it has a bore size of 4.00''. Thank you. I will not use the gaskets (7733) that I have.

One more step in the right direction! Thanks guys. :thumbsup:

 

[BPOS]

If your block was honed with torque plates installed, ask your machinist which gasket he used, and if he thinks it's OK to use a different gasket.

Unless this is an engine on the ragged edge, I wouldn't get too overly concerned w/quench. GM uses a .052 compressed gasket on the ZZ4, and @ .025 ITH it makes for a quench of .077!!

 

[ace's68]

I have a 4.040" block, I didn't want to use a .015" shim, my block was decked and the pistons were .015" in the hole, the motor had been through a few heat cycles with the iron heads, and I went to aluminum, my friend said .015" would be fine, another buddy who races gave me some .015" shims for free, but said to use them at my own risk, it seemed like he didn't want me to use them, so I found a set of .025" composite gaskets with a 4.060 bore and they work great so far. The brand is Vitor-Reinz or something, which I think is a fel-pro brand. Someone on here posted a link in one of my old threads. I purchased them online through the link.

 

[makoshark]

I have a 4.040" block, I didn't want to use a .015" shim, my block was decked and the pistons were .015" in the hole, the motor had been through a few heat cycles with the iron heads, and I went to aluminum, my friend said .015" would be fine, another buddy who races gave me some .015" shims for free, but said to use them at my own risk, it seemed like he didn't want me to use them, so I found a set of .025" composite gaskets with a 4.060 bore and they work great so far. The brand is Vitor-Reinz or something, which I think is a fel-pro brand. Someone on here posted a link in one of my old threads. I purchased them online through the link.

What kind of pistons are you running? Flat tops with valve reliefs?

 

[Steptoe]

I have read that using gaskets that may be too thin like the ones that are .015''. It says that the deck surface must be perfect or the steel shim gaskets may leak.

yes

The shortblock is together and not coming apart. It is a std bore 350, it has not been decked,

It is good practice to skim the decks and heads to be 100% sure they are perfect and square.

 

[speedfreek]

yes

It is good practice to skim the decks and heads to be 100% sure they are perfect and square.

This was supposed to be a "cheap" build and I am not trying to spend too much money. I have read enough now that I think I can find me a thinner gasket that will bring my quench down and still be on the safe side. Thanks to everyone's suggestions.

 

[Steptoe]

This was supposed to be a "cheap" build and I am not trying to spend too much money.

Cheap builds take the time to skim...Im telling you , it will come back and bite you in the bum...and there goes the "cheap build"
And a cheap build one doesnt worry too much about quench, its no as if one is going to push limits on such an engine

 

[ace's68]

What kind of pistons are you running? Flat tops with valve reliefs?

Flat tops, 4 valve relief.