Compression ratio limit with Felpro 8519 head gaskets? POSSIBLE UPDATE

[69SuperBee451]

I don't think big cams by themselves are an ideal option to cover for cylinder pressure issues. It's never done right because people don't understand how to bleed pressure.

The cam wasn’t put in to “cover” for cylinder pressure issues. The cam was put in to match the pistons, converter, gear, etc. It’s a 12.teen car at 1200’ DA on hard street tires through closed exhaust. It’s just a street cruiser.

 

[dvw]

If 2&4 (and 5) were steam cleaned there is coolant in those cylinders. The gasket doesn’t show an area where both cylinders would’ve been compromised. If coolant was in a cylinder, compression pressure should have shown on the fire ring. Yes the center two 4/6 look dark. But that’s pretty normal from center exhaust port heat. I’d be looking for cracks way before it was reassembled. try to torque the other head if it hasn’t been removed. Start at 40lb/ft and see if the fasteners move.
Doug

 

[69SuperBee451]

I think I may have to say I’m an idiot. I pulled both heads, and don’t see anything on the drivers side head gasket. It’s been bothering me that when I was breaking the head bolts loose, none of them had that typical “crack”. The deck isn’t porcupined, and I literally see nothing that would indicate or cause a blown head gasket. That is until I took a look at the bolt holes in the deck. I had the heads off about 6 months ago to replace the core plugs, and I honestly don’t remember if I even bothered to check to see if there was coolant in the blind bolt holes. If there was, I would absolutely have falsely torqued head bolts when I put the heads on, as the bolts would be hydrolocked. It’s the only thing I can think of, especially since I had no issues whatsoever before pulling the heads a few months back. The timing/curve is unchanged, the fuel I run is unchanged, and the car has never overheated.

If that’s the case, I’m a complete moron for overlooking such a basic step. The deck and heads both have a maximum of .002” irregularity when checking with a machinists straight edge. At any rate, another pair of 8519s and ARP head bolts will be arriving tomorrow. I guess we’ll know this weekend. Fingers crossed it was a result of my stupidity!