head gaskets 3.4l with 3500 top

[trebec]

Does anyone know what head gaskets to use? I have a 3.4l block from a '93 camaro and I'm going to put a 3500 top end. Block and heads are at the machine shop now. I think we are going to shoot for a 10:1 compression ratio. I need to know what style gasket is best and the thickness. Thanks in advance for your help.

[Superdave]

What pistons are you using?

[trebec]

I will be using the 3400 pistons and probably bore it out a bit. The main reason for using the 3400 pistons over custom forged is price. The machine shop said the can buy 3400 pistons in 30, 60 over etc.

[trebec]

Anybody?....

[3400-95-Modified]

3400 pistons and 3500 heads would net you the 9.15 cr wouldn't it? Check the CR calculator on this site and input all of the numbers you have and see what gasket thickness you need. Best bet is to use the bore of the block you have for the gasket. In other words use the standard gasket bore of the 3400 or 3.4 or slightly tighter.

[trebec]

The heads and block will be decked to raise the compression. I am not sure how boring it out will effect my head gasket options. Do the make different style head gaskets? Is one style better or is there one to avoid? Maybe I should buy the thinnest available with a 10:1 cr so that if I should need a lower cr in the future (turbo), all I would have to do then is change head gaskets and get 9:1.

All I know is that the machine shop needs to know the thickness so they know how much to deck the heads and block. Should I look for gaskets for the block (93 camaro 3.4l) or for the heads (05 Malibu 3.5l)? Are there even that many options available on the market?

[trebec]

Sorry, I should have worded my first question better. I will not be using the thickness to set compression ratio. Maybe a little depending on how many different sizes they sell. Just need something to start with.

[3400-95-Modified]

There is only one thickness for the 3x00 motors at least, it's 0.060. I'm not sure what the camaro 3.4 ones are tho. The only way to get custom thickness is to order a set of MLS cometic gaskets. I always suggest using the gaskets that are for the block your using vs the heads and I know the 3400 headgasket bore will fit the 3500 combustion chamber so I can assume the camaro 3.4 should have the same bore to fit as well. Regarding headgasket bore they are all set by the block you buy for... They fit their respective blocks even when bored out 0.030 so I wouldn't worry about that, the 3500 gasket larger bore tho will lower the cr.

[trebec]

Ok. Thanks for the help. I think I got it figured out. I stopped by the machine shop today and had a lengthy conversation about all this. We will be using the 3500 gaskets because the only ones I could find for the 3.4 block were those crappy graphite material. I think the larger bore on the 3500 gasket will be ok, especially since the block will be bored .040 or .060 over. I wonder if 3400 gaskets would work?

I will post again in the coming weeks the end result of this project. Thanks

[3400-95-Modified]

I've only ever used the graphite version... I've had more issues with the Fel-Pro versions on my older engines. This is my first year that I'll be running MLS.

[caffeine]

Agreed, get the graphite gaskets, they work great and hold boost very well too.