official head gasket thread?

[bob442]

I'm surprized this seems like an over looked topic, but with a few options avalible, whos used what? If everyone could submit:
-was it done 100% properly? or not? (decking block or/and surfaced heads, or atleast using a block sander and light grit paper, or just a good cleaning, please be specifiy)
-fail rate? (did you do it twice, or did you push it to hard and had it fail? if it did fail explain why)
-Engine demand (high compression, cam, Forced induction, N20, and did you use ARP studs or GM bolts?)
So what we have is:

Felpro head gaskets
Gm head gaskets
MLS head gaskets

Did i leave any others out that are commonly used?

Bob

[mfuller]

My current motor uses '04-spec GM graphite head gaskets.
Block was surfaced at the machine shop, and Ben had the heads milled when he ported them.
Stock compression (9.5:1) 1mm oversize pistons with Felpro head bolts.
Motor runs strong, but it better with only 6000 miles on it.
Has a mild cam.

[Mars]

04+ GM gaskets.

3400 decked heads, blocked cleaned up with 3M pad on my drill.

12 PSI supercharged 380+ WHP Dead reliable 100%.

RE-USED head bolts.

[bszopi]

I don't think mine this past summer was head gasket failure, but more a burnt out and stripped plug hole. Still took the heads off and had them repaired at the shop. They checked them for flatness and the guy was actually suprised at how flat they were, so nothing was done to them. Nothing done to the block either. Just cleaned everything up. Heads where tanked and new sealed installed as well.

Replaced with Fel-Pro "Problem Solver" HG kit, new Fel-Pro head bolts.

Daily driver, and its a Rendezvous, so do you really have to ask about abuse? And its all stock.

Got less than 10k on it since I replaced them.

[bob442]

this thread is going perfect so far, Thanks guys keep it coming!

[robert 1980]

Well if daves being almost 300whp and mars around 4.Guess i would still be ok with 10.5.1 cr and nowhere near either ones power??If i were too use GM headgaskets??

[dskopek]

MLS gaskets
block decked
heads surfaced for MLS gaskets
APR bolts
8.65:1 comp
big cam
turbo setup that has seen only 12 PSI so far (still working on tune)

[Z26-T]

Does anyone have part #s for these? Are all 04'+ graphite style?