Author Topic: cometic head gasket fit  (Read 5760 times)

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DEANs427

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cometic head gasket fit
« on: June 12, 2011, 07:51:34 AM »
I am building a 427 and want to use cometic gaskets with a 4.25 bore to match the bore in my block. My block is an OEM side oiler block with the knotches/ reliefs at the top of the cylinders. I am concerned about the the gasket being unsupported at those knotches. the pistons are .006 out of the cylinder at TDC... opinions please
1956 Ford Gasser 427FE
1966 Fairlane
1966 Bronco supercharged

jayb

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Re: cometic head gasket fit
« Reply #1 on: June 12, 2011, 08:55:08 AM »
Dean, I don't think I'd run with the gasket hanging into the bore like that.  That would be a spot where the gasket could get real hot, and cause pre-ignition when the engine is running.  In my opinion you'd be better off with the bigger bore Cometic, even if it wasn't a perfect match to the bore in the block - Jay
Jay Brown
- 1969 Mach 1, Drag Week 2005 Winner NA/BB, 511" FE (10.60s @ 129); Drag Week 2007 Runner-Up PA/BB, 490" Supercharged FE (9.35 @ 151)
- 1964 Ford Galaxie, Drag Week 2009 Winner Modified NA (9.50s @ 143), 585" SOHC
- 1969 Shelby Clone, Drag Week 2015 Winner Modified NA (Average 8.98 @ 149), 585" SOHC

   

DEANs427

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Re: cometic head gasket fit
« Reply #2 on: June 12, 2011, 09:34:24 AM »
Jay, the block has a weld repair on the deck between #7 & 8 cylinders that I am try to completely cover with the gasket. is cutting the gasket with a dremmel tool at the notches an option??..
1956 Ford Gasser 427FE
1966 Fairlane
1966 Bronco supercharged

jayb

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Re: cometic head gasket fit
« Reply #3 on: June 12, 2011, 11:20:46 AM »
Good idea, I think that would work, as long as you are careful with the Dremel and don't slip and scar up the remainder of the gasket.
Jay Brown
- 1969 Mach 1, Drag Week 2005 Winner NA/BB, 511" FE (10.60s @ 129); Drag Week 2007 Runner-Up PA/BB, 490" Supercharged FE (9.35 @ 151)
- 1964 Ford Galaxie, Drag Week 2009 Winner Modified NA (9.50s @ 143), 585" SOHC
- 1969 Shelby Clone, Drag Week 2015 Winner Modified NA (Average 8.98 @ 149), 585" SOHC

   

Mario428

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Re: cometic head gasket fit
« Reply #4 on: June 12, 2011, 07:59:37 PM »
The cometics do not match the bore that well from what I have seen of mine. 4.25 is really pushing it on a 427.
But the sealing beads are the same dia on all the bore sizes.

cdmbill

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Re: cometic head gasket fit
« Reply #5 on: June 12, 2011, 11:52:40 PM »
Cometic's are a Multi-Layer Steel (MLS) gasket and therefore do not have sealing beads. I do not know if they have a part number for an OEM style 427 block with the reliefs in the cylinder bores. Cometic can make anything on a special order basis, for a cost of course.

Is your block still standard bore? That would be a find these days. A 4.25 bore gasket could be trimmed to match the reliefs with a fine grit cartridge roll on your Dremel or a typical die grinder. Try to keep the gasket clamped together at the area to be trimmed as you do not want grinding material to get between the MLS layers. I had some water jacket sealing issues on a large bore 385 motor with Cometic's that went away with Fel-Pro MLS gaskets. I do not know if Fel-Pro has a 427 FE MLS gasket at this time.

If your are going to modify the gasket you might as well look at the combustion chamber on your heads to see if they are a match for the block or if you have a step there. Next look at the quench pad on your pistons, usually a .250 to .395 wide flat "ring" around the circumference of the piston surrounding the dish or dome, you are looking to see what sharp edges, if any are in the combustion chamber that could lead to pre-ignition detonation that Jay refers to above my post. The entire chamber should be a nice contiguous shape at TDC.

Mario428

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Re: cometic head gasket fit
« Reply #6 on: June 13, 2011, 12:59:08 PM »
Cometic's are a Multi-Layer Steel (MLS) gasket and therefore do not have sealing beads.


Could have fooled me


cdmbill

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Re: cometic head gasket fit
« Reply #7 on: June 13, 2011, 01:35:49 PM »
Sorry, should have written 'conventional' sealing bead. As the photo shows there is an embossed bead in the steel layers, but not the folded metal over composite material of conventional gaskets.

DEANs427

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Re: cometic head gasket fit
« Reply #8 on: July 28, 2011, 11:27:46 AM »
I mentioned my concern to the the guy at cometic when I placed my order, the gaskets I recieved have the divit cutout in them!  I'm happy!
1956 Ford Gasser 427FE
1966 Fairlane
1966 Bronco supercharged