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What do you recommend for head gaskets?

Trench

Trench

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I just picked up a set of Edelbrock 5090 E-Street heads for my 440 and would like to know what you think are the best cylinder head gaskets. The motor is the original '73 440HP with new pistons @30 over and Exteme energy 230/236 hydraulic flat cam. This will be a street only car.
I always love the input from this community so let me know what you think.
 
Fel-Pro 8519PT1 - Fel-Pro Head Gaskets


I run those same 75cc E Street heads on my 383 / 432

With my Stroker kit , and the measured .0388" compressed thickness of those head gaskets , I was at 10.5 - 1 Compression

Four summers now and perfection on those head gaskets - Zero issues

Installed 100% dry on the block and heads - Torque specs per the installed ARP head bolts
 
I would actually suggest Fel-Pro 1009 which is a HP gasket. 0.039" compressed thickness, 4.410" bore, 9.9cc volume, and has a "Pre-Flattened" steel lock wire for minimal brinelling of the aluminum head. I would also HIGHLY suggest using ARP head bolts for the new heads. The OEM bolts will destroy the area around the bolt holes as they are basically designed to be used on iron heads.

Fel-Pro 1009 Fel-Pro Performance Head Gaskets | Summit Racing
ARP 145-3606 ARP High Performance Series Cylinder Head Bolt Kits | Summit Racing
 
The Fel Pro 1009 is a really good choice. They work well with the aluminum head.
 
If you use that 1009 be very careful they don't overhang the bores or more importantly the chambers....quite a few folks have run into that, myself included. The one time I attempted to use them they protruded just slightly so I exchanged them for 8519s and never looked back. Unless you're really pushing the compression levels the 8519 works very well, for less than 20$ a piece...win win.
 
beanhead said:
If you use that 1009 be very careful they don't overhang the bores or more importantly the chambers....quite a few folks have run into that, myself included. The one time I attempted to use them they protruded just slightly so I exchanged them for 8519s and never looked back. Unless you're really pushing the compression levels the 8519 works very well, for less than 20$ a piece...win win.
Click to expand...

1009 Gasket bore is 4.410" and 440+030=4.350". The gasket bore is 0.060" larger than the bore so it is virtually impossible to "overhang" the head gasket.
 
Last edited:
I've had nothing but great luck with Felpro.
 
69Bee said:
1009 Gasket bore is 4.410" and 440+060=4.350". The gasket bore is 0.060" larger than the bore so it is virtually impossible to "overhang" the head gasket.
Click to expand...
But everything you touch is magic:D
Haha okay seriously though mine protruded into the chamber not the bore. RPM heads. Now, maybe that was just my particular set of heads, all I'm saying is that it needs to be checked closely.
 
beanhead said:
But everything you touch is magic:D
Haha okay seriously though mine protruded into the chamber not the bore. RPM heads. Now, maybe that was just my particular set of heads, all I'm saying is that it needs to be checked closely.
Click to expand...
I agree that everything should be checked. I know I ran into that problem with a GM 350. The head gaskets (Cometic) had round and notched bores, and in that case, the round ones protruded into the chamber also.
 
The 8519 gaskets that come in the standard felpro set work fine on a 10.5 alloy head 440. Good idea to have your block decked and squared no matter what head gasket you use.
 
kiwigtx said:
You could try Lisa's Hotcakes...



:lol:
Click to expand...

I just found them in the Acme Catalogue.
upload_2021-4-7_12-26-58.png
 
The 8519 Fel Pro's are good, Used them many times. The 1009's have a nicer fire ring and fit real well on a 4.38 bore. just sayin.
 
Just an fyi.. The reason I like the HP Fel-Pro head gaskets, especially with aluminum heads is that the OEM level gasket only has an aluminum fire ring protecting the gasket edge at the cylinder. Additional thermal expansion for an aluminum head can crush the aluminum fire ring, and the seal is compromised. The HP gasket, (1009), has a pre-flattened steel wire inside of the aluminum fire ring to prevent this from happening. The steel wire is pre-flattened to minimize embedding it into the aluminum causing an impression (brinelling) of the head surface.
 
If you want to keep the head surface mint use an MLS (cometic) headgasket . :thumbsup:
 
RemCharger said:
If you want to keep the head surface mint use an MLS (cometic) headgasket . :thumbsup:
Click to expand...
I agree complete, but a lot of folks do not want to spend around $100 for each gasket. I would, but my response stems from working with customers.
 
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