Best top end gaskets?

[Tim Potter]

I just ordered a set of ported heads for my 345 from Portland Engine Rebuilders.
I've been reading some of the previous posts about modifing 345 heads/setting deck heights/compression ratios etc. I will not be decking the block so any improvement in compression will come from shaving the heads. Does anybody know how much you can take off the heads before valve train will need to be modified?
I was also wondering if OEM head gaskets have become available since those posts were written. Will it do any good to take .025 off the heads if I have to use composite head gaskets? I guess that will at least offset the difference in thickness of the gaskets but probably not increase the compression very much.
Also is there any source for all of the top end gaskets that is considered better than others; in other words will a typical NAPA top end set be fine?

[John Donnelly]

Originally Posted by Tim Potter

I just ordered a set of ported heads for my 345 from Portland Engine Rebuilders.
I've been reading some of the previous posts about modifing 345 heads/setting deck heights/compression ratios etc. I will not be decking the block so any improvement in compression will come from shaving the heads. Does anybody know how much you can take off the heads before valve train will need to be modified?
I was also wondering if OEM head gaskets have become available since those posts were written. Will it do any good to take .025 off the heads if I have to use composite head gaskets? I guess that will at least offset the difference in thickness of the gaskets but probably not increase the compression very much.
Also is there any source for all of the top end gaskets that is considered better than others; in other words will a typical NAPA top end set be fine?

This sounds like something you should be discussing with Ted King at PER.

PER typically recommends FEL-PRO for thier setups, it will depend on what you want to use that will dictate what is done with the heads with regard to bumping up the compression.

-John

[WRENCH MAN]

NAPA sells (or use to) Victor gaskets, they are of if not better quality than Felpro, I wouldn't hesitate to use either of them.

[71 Scout 2]

As far as how much can be taken off of either the block or heads (or combo) it depends on a few things. What cam are you running, which piston and head combo do you have (flattops or contoured). The general census is it's better to shave the block (deck it) verses shave the head. You gain more side benefits from decking then shaving heads. More flow, less fuel consumption, just to name two. The main thing to watch out for when you're shaving the heads are valve contact with the block on "E" engines (flattops), but you have to get pretty crazy and wild before that happens. On the contour style engines you have to worry about pistons contacting the head, along with intake valves hitting the piston, and exhaust contacting the block.
Here's a rough list of what I think is usable, others might have different opinions, but these are mine.
intake valve to piston clearance (contour) .060" min. The cam specs are needed for that. Not typically a problem.
Exhaust valve to block clearance (either) .090" min. Usually not an issue unless you run a wild cam and do a fair amount of shaving.
Piston to head clearance .035" is safe and effcient, .030" can be used if rpms are kept below 4000. The general census says that the gains from anything less than .035" clearance are slim to nill, .040" and larger clearances are losing overall effciency.
But just a quick answer to your question. Shave .025" from the heads to bring things back to "stock" (provided pistons are "stock"). Shaving .040" to .050" never hurt anyone. The big thing about shaving/decking, is to watch out so you don't bottom out your lifters from the shorter distance from your lifter to rocker, usually not a problem, but different cams have different base circles and each lifter company has slightly different internals.

[jeff campbell]

i prefer the felpro gasket's myself.would rather have composite on the intake.jeff,an the head gasket's never need re-torqued as some others do.