What are most marine engine builders using for head gaskets? (4.310 bore, alum. heads)

http://www.summitracing.com/parts/FPP-1037/

Fel Pro or Cometic.

Cometic on mine.

I will say, I would use a cometic over a felpro PAPER GASKET any day. I have used cometic at times,not my first choice. I use gaskets from Bob, The owner of Performance Gasket Concepts, out of Germantown WI, He makes them for Merc , Inavaition Marine, Nortech, Potter, I believe most of us Engine Builders have used them. They are made with graphite and a stainless steel core, he has a gasket called the fire -ring a graphite outer with a copper center around the bores, requires an o-ring and reciever groove, solid copper with graphite inserts and o-rings around the water ports, intake, exhaust, bellhousing graphite gaskets for the cooler covers that don't wick water, valve cover, thick timing cover sets with the thermostat gasket. Most keep quite about items like this. This man doesn't advertise or have a web site, he will sell to you only at retail price, once you use these gaskets you won't go back to paper. He is a well liked man. I'll have to ask him if he minds me posting his phone #. Mark

Your help here would be great. please let me know if you find a way for me to order some.

thanks,
john

Most people aren't going to like having to do an o-ring and receiver groove, especially if they are only doing a partial teardown. The cost and PITA factor is what made most people go over to Cometics and that style of gasket.

No doubt they seal well, but in my experience... all o-ringed copper deals had water leaks at some point.

has anyone tried the marine procomps that are available. they look very simular at a fraction of the price.

http://cgi.ebay.com/Big-Block-Chevy-...4.c0.m14.l1262

I have never seen those before, but in all honesty... I buy the very best I can, and I think Cometics are the very best. Everytime I have ever tried to cheap out on something, it always comes back to bite me in the a@$.

The marine Felpro's will be fine.

http://www.summitracing.com/parts/FPP-17042/