What head gasket are you guys running on small blocks with Vortec heads? The GM 12557236 gasket is .051 thick. Can you use a standard .039 small block gasket? Does Fel-Pro make a marine gasket that will work?
Bob

a normal sbc head gasket will work... here are 2 marine ones GM offers..


1010511... .028" thick.. stainless steel composition gasket..

10159455.... .039" thick.. Stainless steel composition gasket

the differance between these is around .2 of the compression ratio


The only diffreance between these and a vortec gasket is a vortec gasket is extended towards the intake because they put holes in that extra area of gasket to help putting pushrods in on the assembly line..

[ 01-15-2002: Message edited by: traviss ]

[ 01-15-2002: Message edited by: traviss ]

[ 01-15-2002: Message edited by: traviss ]

I used the fel pro marine gaskets in mine. I like the additional cooling holes. the merc and auto gaskets do not have the ani-boil holes. I wouldn't use anything other than the felpro marine gaskets.

good Luck

Uh huh fly fast, i'm with you. I used Fel-Pro #1003 and had great luck with them.
Steve

One more vote for the felpro's here. Used them on my vortec 406 and was very happy.