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Tech Talk => Engine Mechanical / Electrical => Topic started by: bshaw on September 16, 2017, 03:26:14 AM

Title: Head gaskets
Post by: bshaw on September 16, 2017, 03:26:14 AM
I have a .030 over 460, with c8 heads, 22cc dished pistons, and I was just wondering which head gasket would be the best for my combo be t cheap or not so cheap, and also wanted someone to explain if possible the differences between the materials of head gaskets and the consequences of running a head gasket that doesn't match the bore of your cylinder. I'm also curious as to what my compression would be like with different compressed thicknesses? Any advice helps!


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Title: Re: Head gaskets
Post by: bshaw on September 16, 2017, 09:46:16 PM
Bump


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Title: Re: Head gaskets
Post by: fullfam1 on September 17, 2017, 10:33:31 AM
I run felpro 17068 on my 545 stroker and they work well. Mine is a 460 30 overbore block also.


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Title: Re: Head gaskets
Post by: Flusher on September 18, 2017, 05:18:02 PM
Re: the consequences of running a head gasket that doesn't precisely match the bore/combustion chamber.

Head gaskets are usually listed with their compressed thickness in decimal inches and volume in cubic centimetres (cc's).  I say "compressed" because once the head is torqued down, the engine heat cycled, and the cylinder head fasteners retorqued, the head gaskets will usually compress and thin out compared to the out-of-the-box condition.  Some gasket (materials) are designed to compress more than others.

The volume is calculated as the area of the combustion chamber opening times the compressed thickness.  This would be straight forward if the opening were round.  Fortunately the manufacturer provides this information for us.

As you have eluded to in your question, you are aware that head gasket volume does indeed play a role in compression ratio.  Static Compression Ratio is the measured volume of the combustion chamber, cylinder, et al when the piston is at Bottom Dead Center (BDC) divided by the volume while at Top Dead Center (TDC).

Compression Ratio is important to performance because the combusting air/fuel mixture will expand around 3-5x the initial compressed volume.  What that means is that, with more compression, more force will be exerted on the pistons, more output (HP) and greater efficiency result.

Of course with more compression comes the possibility of exceeding the detonation limits of the fuel.

What can be done to help our engines push the limits of detonation resistance?  Specifically pertaining to head gaskets, along with the entire combination of parts, is the quench distance.  This is the distance between the top of the piston and the bottom (flat) surface of the combustion chamber, usually the head gasket surface of the cylinder head. Every effort should be made, in a naturally aspirated (NA) engine, to get this dimension below .055 inches.  Typically this is accomplished by decking the block and using the head gaskets to establish final clearance.  For example, zero-decking the the block and using a .046" thick gasket to arrive at a .046 quench distance.

I have seen and felt, first hand, the positive (and negative) affect of tight quench distance.  It is entirely possible to actually increase compression and, at the same time, increase resistance to detonation.  A tight quench distance (<.055") will push the air/fuel mixture into the volume of the combustion chamber.  Mixture motion is enhanced, facilitating a faster more complete burn.  The narrow cross-section of a tight quench distance doesn't promote preignition but allows a controlled burn originating from the combustion chamber.

The next issue is crevice volume.  To be honest, I hadn't thought much about this, beyond contact area of the sealing surfaces of the gaskets and reduced compression numbers, until I attended an engine building seminar.  One of the topics was crevice volume.

The issue is that liquid fuel is forced into the crevice volume.  This effectively leans the Air Fuel Ratio (AFR).  Then this liquid fuel burns at a less opportune time, possibly detonating.

Crevice volume is created above the top ring towards the combustion chamber between the top ring land and the cylinder wall, in sharp corners of deep valve notches, and in between the cylinder head and block deck.

The problem specifically related to head gaskets is that there are so many bore possibilities for each engine family, the gasket manufacturers would have to produce an infinite number of bore sizes.  Not economically viable.

Ideally you want a perfectly cylindrical shaped cylinder all the way up to the combustion chamber to reduce crevice volume.  This is not probable because of combustion chamber shape relative to bore size.  The chamber will typically overhang the bore diameter below the valves (this is part of why larger bore blocks allow any given head to flow better).  Unless you are running custom gaskets, like Cometic, you simply don't have the options.

A quick search on Summit Racing lists the above Fel Pro 17068 as having a 4.500" bore, .039 compressed thickness, producing a 10.300cc volume.  Not much selection (except for Cometic MLS or SCE copper) in thickness and bore sizes.

Hope this answers some of your questions.  If I knew more about your build, application, and at what stage of completion you are at, maybe I could help further.

Cheers,

Joe
Title: Re: Head gaskets
Post by: bahner80 on September 19, 2017, 10:28:40 AM
Re: the consequences of running a head gasket that doesn't precisely match the bore/combustion chamber.

Head gaskets are usually listed with their compressed thickness in decimal inches and volume in cubic centimetres (cc's).  I say "compressed" because once the head is torqued down, the engine heat cycled, and the cylinder head fasteners retorqued, the head gaskets will usually compress and thin out compared to the out-of-the-box condition.  Some gasket (materials) are designed to compress more than others.

The volume is calculated as the area of the combustion chamber opening times the compressed thickness.  This would be straight forward if the opening were round.  Fortunately the manufacturer provides this information for us.

As you have eluded to in your question, you are aware that head gasket volume does indeed play a role in compression ratio.  Static Compression Ratio is the measured volume of the combustion chamber, cylinder, et al when the piston is at Bottom Dead Center (BDC) divided by the volume while at Top Dead Center (TDC).

Compression Ratio is important to performance because the combusting air/fuel mixture will expand around 3-5x the initial compressed volume.  What that means is that, with more compression, more force will be exerted on the pistons, more output (HP) and greater efficiency result.

Of course with more compression comes the possibility of exceeding the detonation limits of the fuel.

What can be done to help our engines push the limits of detonation resistance?  Specifically pertaining to head gaskets, along with the entire combination of parts, is the quench distance.  This is the distance between the top of the piston and the bottom (flat) surface of the combustion chamber, usually the head gasket surface of the cylinder head. Every effort should be made, in a naturally aspirated (NA) engine, to get this dimension below .055 inches.  Typically this is accomplished by decking the block and using the head gaskets to establish final clearance.  For example, zero-decking the the block and using a .046" thick gasket to arrive at a .046 quench distance.

I have seen and felt, first hand, the positive (and negative) affect of tight quench distance.  It is entirely possible to actually increase compression and, at the same time, increase resistance to detonation.  A tight quench distance (<.055") will push the air/fuel mixture into the volume of the combustion chamber.  Mixture motion is enhanced, facilitating a faster more complete burn.  The narrow cross-section of a tight quench distance doesn't promote preignition but allows a controlled burn originating from the combustion chamber.

The next issue is crevice volume.  To be honest, I hadn't thought much about this, beyond contact area of the sealing surfaces of the gaskets and reduced compression numbers, until I attended an engine building seminar.  One of the topics was crevice volume.

The issue is that liquid fuel is forced into the crevice volume.  This effectively leans the Air Fuel Ratio (AFR).  Then this liquid fuel burns at a less opportune time, possibly detonating.

Crevice volume is created above the top ring towards the combustion chamber between the top ring land and the cylinder wall, in sharp corners of deep valve notches, and in between the cylinder head and block deck.

The problem specifically related to head gaskets is that there are so many bore possibilities for each engine family, the gasket manufacturers would have to produce an infinite number of bore sizes.  Not economically viable.

Ideally you want a perfectly cylindrical shaped cylinder all the way up to the combustion chamber to reduce crevice volume.  This is not probable because of combustion chamber shape relative to bore size.  The chamber will typically overhang the bore diameter below the valves (this is part of why larger bore blocks allow any given head to flow better).  Unless you are running custom gaskets, like Cometic, you simply don't have the options.

A quick search on Summit Racing lists the above Fel Pro 17068 as having a 4.500" bore, .039 compressed thickness, producing a 10.300cc volume.  Not much selection (except for Cometic MLS or SCE copper) in thickness and bore sizes.

Hope this answers some of your questions.  If I knew more about your build, application, and at what stage of completion you are at, maybe I could help further.

Cheers,

Joe
As always great info
Title: Re: Head gaskets
Post by: bshaw on September 20, 2017, 02:00:37 AM
If I knew more about your build, application, and at what stage of completion you are at, maybe I could help
[/quote]
So right now I have the c8 heads recently surfaced and cleaned, Manley springs that my machinist said should take up to .650 lift but I'm not positive, guideplates installed but no rockers as of right now, stock crank turned 10/10, block is .030 over. I also have 22cc dished hyper speed pro pistons that are connected to a set of stock rods. Nothing is put together yet because I want to make sure I have the right combination and be 100% that what I'm throwing together is going to work and make around 450-500hp. Application is my 18 foot Tahiti super tiger, dominator pump with a new aluminum impeller, basically looking to do  anything better than 70mph. I appreciate the informative post, I love learning about all the smaller intricacies you don't get to see going on inside the motor.



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Title: Re: Head gaskets
Post by: bshaw on September 20, 2017, 02:03:43 AM
Also I was told my valves are 2.20/1.90  but that could be totally wrong


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Title: Re: Head gaskets
Post by: bshaw on September 22, 2017, 01:17:43 AM
Bump


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Title: Re: Head gaskets
Post by: bshaw on September 27, 2017, 12:05:31 AM
Bump 1 more time for any more info or advice


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Title: Re: Head gaskets
Post by: angermgmt on September 27, 2017, 09:44:57 AM
X2 on Felpro 17068


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Title: Re: Head gaskets
Post by: angermgmt on September 27, 2017, 09:45:56 AM
Make sure you pay attention to the proper direction of the gaskets...


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Title: Re: Head gaskets
Post by: LakesOnly on September 27, 2017, 03:49:33 PM
The parts you have are capable of supporting 500 hp.  Not my first choice in rods and pistons but up to the job nonetheless. Incidentally, the valve pockets in your pistons might not accommodate the big intake valves in yor head, so be sure to check piston-to-valve clearance.  (Actual clearance will depend on deck height, cam, cam timing, etc.)  Lastly, you can't have a 1.9" exhaust valve in your heads with those intake valves; 172" is more like it.
Title: Re: Head gaskets
Post by: bshaw on September 27, 2017, 04:32:55 PM
The parts you have are capable of supporting 500 hp.  Not my first choice in rods and pistons but up to the job nonetheless. Incidentally, the valve pockets in your pistons might not accommodate the big intake valves in yor head, so be sure to check piston-to-valve clearance.  (Actual clearance will depend on deck height, cam, cam timing, etc.)  Lastly, you can't have a 1.9" exhaust valve in your heads with those intake valves; 172" is more like it.
I was thinking since nothing is put together yet I could just keep those rods and pistons for spares and just get forged eagle rods and a set of forged pistons with less of a dish to make the compression closer to 10:1, what do you think? If I was to go that route though to me it would not make sense to not get the full forged stroker assembly. I was wondering if those kits come balanced or not too?


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Title: Re: Head gaskets
Post by: bshaw on September 27, 2017, 04:37:36 PM
Also I'm pretty sure that this matters...my boat only has quarter stringers so I'm not sure how much horsepower/tq that's good for in itself. Anyway I could tell which impeller I have also? Pretty sure it's a A


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Title: Re: Head gaskets
Post by: angermgmt on September 27, 2017, 05:31:07 PM
What type of motor mounts do you have. ?


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Title: Re: Head gaskets
Post by: bshaw on September 28, 2017, 12:41:19 AM
Haven't bought motor mounts yet, but I do have access to a cnc shop if anything  needed to be made if the normal Hardin marine mounts don't work


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Title: Re: Head gaskets
Post by: angermgmt on September 28, 2017, 05:34:41 AM
The reason I asked is you are going with a three point or four point mount. That along with how well your boat was layed up and the condition of your stringers, floor and fiberglass may be something to think about when choosing your build. I have a quarter stringer boat, but I replaced the floor after adding a 2x6 keel under it from the stringer bull head to the front bull head. It supports 500 horses all day long.


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Title: Re: Head gaskets
Post by: bshaw on September 29, 2017, 03:39:46 AM
The reason I asked is you are going with a three point or four point mount. That along with how well your boat was layed up and the condition of your stringers, floor and fiberglass may be something to think about when choosing your build. I have a quarter stringer boat, but I replaced the floor after adding a 2x6 keel under it from the stringer bull head to the front bull head. It supports 500 horses all day long.


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I redid the floor myself a little less than 6 months ago, and the keel felt fine as far as I could tell. My worry if anything was the transom but all the fiberglass seems fine


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Title: Re: Head gaskets
Post by: angermgmt on September 29, 2017, 07:04:06 AM
You should be fine since you've inspected it yourself


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