Which head gasket for marine use
 

Which head gasket for marine use?
Which material and brand?

Re: Which head gasket for marine use
 

Hard to beat the Fel-Pro marine gasket, but Cometic MLS would be a good choice if you've got the proper finish on the heads and block.

Re: Which head gasket for marine use
 

cometic.

Re: Which head gasket for marine use
 

Fel-Pro makes a MLS gasket as does Mr. Gasket, both of which are comprable to Cometics. Cometics advantage is they can be ordered in custom thicknesses.

An MLS really isn't neccessary unless you have plans to run a form of positive displacement upon the assembly (blower, supercharger, turbo).

The Fel-Pro 1037's are nice replacement gasket for a mild BBC.

Re: Which head gasket for marine use
 

17040 for 454's

Re: Which head gasket for marine use
 

I vote for Cometic.

Re: Which head gasket for marine use
 

What do you mean "Proper Finish" on the heads and block for Cometic Gaskets?

Re: Which head gasket for marine use
 

Pantera,
•Installing a COMETIC MLS (Multi Layer Steel) Head Gasket
The first thing you must do before installing the gasket, check all associated hardware thoroughly for nicks, scratches, or
damaged threads as well as checking all threaded holes. If the hardware is inadequate or damaged, gasket failure may be eminent.
Also chase all the bolts and tap all threaded holes with the appropriate thread chase or cleaning tap. All hardware and mating surfaces
should be free from any old sealers, rust, or carbon.
Check your dowel pins as they register the gasket and head into proper location. Replace worn or damaged dowels. The gasket mating
surfaces must be smooth 50RA or finer. Additional sealer is not required with Cometic MLS Head Gaskets. The outer layers of the
gasket are coated with a .001" thick coating of viton (a high temperature flouroelastomer).
Check brass rivet location to ensure the brass rivet does not interfere with the sealing surface on both the block and head. If the
brass rivet needs to be removed a pair of side cutters will give the best results. Remove only the brass rivet.
Once the gasket is in position double check all passages and overall fitment paying special attention to the bore and chamfer. The
gasket should not fall in the bore or lay on the chamfer in any area. A gasket lying on the chamfer or in the bore will most likely cause a
hot spot and lead to pre-ignition, possibly causing severe engine damage or gasket failure.

Head Gasket Torque Procedure
If you are using studs or head bolts, torque hardware to the manufacturers specification. Fasteners works like a springs and must
have proper Torque or Stretch applied to carry the correct amount of clamp force. Also use the proper lube or thread sealer for the job.
All fasteners must be final torqued before thread sealant cures to achieve proper torque.
Torque the fasteners in the correct sequence. It is critical to follow manufacturers torque sequence to apply clamp force evenly.
A smooth continuous motion is important for every torque sequence. Re-torque is not necessary unless using hardware that has not
been heat cycled

Re: Which head gasket for marine use
 

Thank you Bob!!! As my engine was only rebuilt 60 hours ago and the heads were redone last year, it should be a good candidate for Cometic Gaskets. I guess I'll know more once I pull the heads for the cam change out!!

Re: Which head gasket for marine use
 

Ive ran felpro marine gskts for as long as 185 hrs without failure up to 12 psi of boost. It helps that i was using merlin heads (they are thicker than stock) and head studs,Smitty