Rv8 head gasket variations?

[pupp]

Anyone able to let me know the gen on the different types of head gasket available for the Rv8. Have sourced a set of flowed big valve heads to install on a 4.6 block and been advised to use 'tin gaskets' (I assume because of the resulting CR)... what alternatives are there and are there any benefits/drawbacks with each?

[Boosted Ls1]

There are tin gaskets which are the thinnest. Then there are factory composite, real steel composit or you can use buick 300 felpros if you have big bores. There are also thick tvr items.

Tins give you marginally higher c/r but composits will bed and grip into your block for a better seal. If the block and head faces are very good I'd use tin. To play ultra safe I'd use composite. Either way I'd use head studs, not bolts.

Boosted.

[pupp]

Boosted Ls1 said:

There are tin gaskets which are the thinnest. Then there are factory composite, real steel composit or you can use buick 300 felpros if you have big bores. There are also thick tvr items.

Tins give you marginally higher c/r but composits will bed and grip into your block for a better seal. If the block and head faces are very good I'd use tin. To play ultra safe I'd use composite. Either way I'd use head studs, not bolts.

Boosted.

Thanks, that's helpful
I assume the thinking on the studs over bolts is that bolts have more risk of lifting the deck around the holes due to less thread interference?

[Boosted Ls1]

pupp said:

Boosted Ls1 said:

There are tin gaskets which are the thinnest. Then there are factory composite, real steel composit or you can use buick 300 felpros if you have big bores. There are also thick tvr items.

Tins give you marginally higher c/r but composits will bed and grip into your block for a better seal. If the block and head faces are very good I'd use tin. To play ultra safe I'd use composite. Either way I'd use head studs, not bolts.

Boosted.

Thanks, that's helpful
I assume the thinking on the studs over bolts is that bolts have more risk of lifting the deck around the holes due to less thread interference?

Bolts can do this but studs become part of the block and the load from the nut is on the thread at the top of the stud. With a bolt the tension is at the threaded portion of the bolt within the block. Studs also have rolled threads and can give much better clamping forces because of this. They also won't break in your block.

Get studs, it really is the way to go

Boosted.