LT5 Head Gaskets

[A26B]

I posted the following as a response on another thread under Parts for Sale and Wanted, but thought it should also be here, so It's copied below.

I don't like publishing info until a project is 100% complete, but in the case of head gaskets and the concern for future availability, I'm going to go ahead & fill you in on the status.

I have placed the order for the tooling.

Gaskets will be made in the same LH & RH configuration as the OEM gaskets

Gasket material will be graphite exterior with a steel core sandwiched in the center. The design & material is virtually identical to the current offerings by Victor & FelPro for premium head gaskets.

Before any gaskets are offered for sale, they will be tested for 2 days continual running on an engine dyno, making 50+ power pulls, and thermal cycling from high operating to ambient temp.

Availability? as soon as possible, 4~6 mo estimate. None will be produced in quantity until engine testing is completed.

The OEM material, Astadur, is now old technology, it's expensive and virtually unavailable. Event if it was readily available, the tooling cost would be exhorbitant as specialized tooling is required to make the cuts smooth.

The compressed thickness will be abt 0.005" thinner than the OEM. I've measured the fire ring height on over 80 cylinder sleeves. The variance is very tight, 0.041", +- 0.0005". Net fire ring clearance below the head with the OEM gasket is very close to 0.020", ample room for clearance with the new gasket. If anything, the new gasket and the associated reduction in fire ring/cyl head clearance could result in a cleaner burn. Another very slight change would be a minimal increase in compression. None of these changes are expected to have any noticable effect.

There you have it.

[Pete]

Jerry,why tool up for 2 different gaskets just do the RH wouldn't it be a liittle easier/cheaper?
Hope all goes well.
Pete

[A26B]

Originally Posted by Pete

Jerry,why tool up for 2 different gaskets just do the RH wouldn't it be a liittle easier/cheaper?
Hope all goes well.
Pete

I thought about it Pete, but not everyone who wants a set of head gaskets will know about the procedure to make the RH work on the left hand side and will be skeptical of a replacement gasket that is a "one size fits all." I decided not to have to explain special procedures, especially to owners in other countries who aren't fluent in english.

Would be a little cheaper, but in the long haul, not enough to possibly be perceived as "half-azz", even though it's not. Straight forward replacement, LH & RH, seems the best way to inspire customer understanding and product confidence.

[todesengel]

any possibility of having a multi layer steel gasket mfg'd, for close deck purposes Jerry?

Originally Posted by A26B

I thought about it Pete, but not everyone who wants a set of head gaskets will know about the procedure to make the RH work on the left hand side and will be skeptical of a replacement gasket that is a "one size fits all." I decided not to have to explain special procedures, especially to owners in other countries who aren't fluent in english.

Would be a little cheaper, but in the long haul, not enough to possibly be perceived as "half-azz", even though it's not. Straight forward replacement, LH & RH, seems the best way to inspire customer understanding and product confidence.

[A26B]

Originally Posted by todesengel

any possibility of having a multi layer steel gasket mfg'd, for close deck purposes Jerry?

Not by me. I've looked into it extensively with Cometic. VERY expensive proposition. LT5 is already a limited market & closed deck LT5's.....you can count on 1 hand.

[jonszr1]

jerry you are awsome, bill b. looked at some of your gaskets that i had the other day and said they are first class all the way . that you for caring about our cars like you do . we are all so very lucky

[A26B]

UPDATE, 30Jun10:

Tooling is finished & 2 sets of gaskets for inspection & testing are being shipped.
If they pass the fitment test & visual inspection, then a set will be installed in an engine for 2 days of engine dyno running & subsequent tear-down for inspection.

[bdw18_123]

Awesome, Jerry!

[A26B]

Craig,
I have installed a set of my new head gaskets in a spare engine for verification. Fitment is perfect.

I have scheduled an appointment for 2 days of dyno testing Sep 20th and subsequent tear-down to verify integrity.

If the test results are as expected, I will authorize production Sep 23rd and place them on the website for sale.

Insofar as the Cometic MLS gaskets are concerned, I corresponded several times with Cometic. The reason I did not choose to proceed with the MLS gasket is because I was told that the MLS gasket WILL leak if flatness exceeds 0.002". I fully recognize the precision of the LT5 engine, but 0.002" is not much when you consider 4 independent cylinder sleeves, that all gasket decks have to be level to that tolerance AND at the same time, level to the block deck.

To even inspect it would be a chore. Add the need to seal all coolant & oil return passages and the fact that many engines are built with aftermarket cylinder sleeves, the expense involved if leaks occur......... well, I just decided against it.

[LGAFF]

Jerry how much would it cost me to "test" these on my 90?