head gasket

[Jim Halstead]

Hey guys,I haven't been on here in a long time,but I need your help. I have to replace valve guides. IF the head has to be shaved,is there a formula as to which gasket has to be used? Looks like a 3 notch on it now.

[TylerDurden]

The head is usually not consequential to gasket thickness... its the piston protrusion that usually matters most. Somebody might have tossed in a three-dot just spitballing it and skipped measuring the pistons. Skimming the head won't change that.

There really shouldn't be anything hanging lower than the bottom of the head. It's typical to install the head with the cam out, or loose enough so that the valves can't collide with the pistons during installation.

I wouldn't have just any machine shop skim the head, I'd use a shop that has done a lot of IDI style heads with the inconel precombustion inserts.

[Jim Halstead]

Thank You

[Fatmobile]

I wouldn't skim the head unless it's very straight,.. or the cam will rock when you bolt it up.

[Jim Halstead]

not sure if it needs to be,there are no leaks. just wanted to be sure before I pull it. thank you.

[Fatmobile]

When you remove it; pull the cam caps and see if the cam rocks,..
it'll kind of tell you how warped the head is.