I'm pulling heads... best head gaskets?

[tpabayflyer]

I hear the cometics are really nice but I don't know if I really need them. I have a stock 135K mile engine and there is a bunch of carbon behind the intake valves so I will pull the heads today.
I plan on using the stock valves with bowl porting by me and a good 3 angle valve job with the intakes backcut. I am not a big racer but I plan on getting into the high 11sec range with a TE-44 boosting around 23psi on alky. I have a few questions....

What fel-pro gasket do I use or get the cometic????

Use new larger valves?? what size (must use stock seat)

What arp head bolts do I use? (can't re-use stockers I guess)

I need to get a new set of lifters.. what brand??
( I had a lifter collapse... stock cam/valvetrain)

I recently made some upgrades that included the HV timing cover and I'm thinking the 70 psi oil pressure was a little much for the 18 year old stock lifters?? Any advice on removeing/replaceing the heads would be aprreciated. TIA TBF

 

[Spongebob]

I have all the same questions as you...

My winter project is almost identical!

I'll keep an eye on this post

 

[Otto J]

Call CHampion or Nick Micale and buy the cometics, Its obvious that you beat your car a little if it has alky and a te44.Just make sure to buy a can of permatex spray copper and apply it to both sides of the gasket.
Dont reuse the stocker bolts get arp bolts or studs

 

[broke1]

Im with Otto besides the spray,they reccomend you install them dry.If they seep,throw some stop leak in there.Comectics are great HG's,just pricey.

 

[TurboDave]

Originally posted by tpabayflyer
I hear the cometics are really nice but I don't know if I really need them. I have a stock 135K mile engine and there is a bunch of carbon behind the intake valves so I will pull the heads today.
I plan on using the stock valves with bowl porting by me and a good 3 angle valve job with the intakes backcut. I am not a big racer but I plan on getting into the high 11sec range with a TE-44 boosting around 23psi on alky. I have a few questions....

What fel-pro gasket do I use or get the cometic????

Use new larger valves?? what size (must use stock seat)

What arp head bolts do I use? (can't re-use stockers I guess)

I need to get a new set of lifters.. what brand??
( I had a lifter collapse... stock cam/valvetrain)

I recently made some upgrades that included the HV timing cover and I'm thinking the 70 psi oil pressure was a little much for the 18 year old stock lifters?? Any advice on removeing/replaceing the heads would be aprreciated. TIA TBF

With your setup, I'd feel comfortable recommeding FelPro 9441PT's

 

[JaBoT]

For your power level use the felpros. I've never had a probelm with them and have used them in 10 sec cars, and you'll save some money too.

 

[tpabayflyer]

Originally posted by KLHAMMETT
Call CHampion or Nick Micale and buy the cometics, Its obvious that you beat your car a little if it has alky and a te44.Just make sure to buy a can of permatex spray copper and apply it to both sides of the gasket.
Dont reuse the stocker bolts get arp bolts or studs

Man.. I have babied this thing all its life!!!!!!
I don't have the alky yet but plan on it soon.. I just put the TE-44 on it 80 miles ago and ran a stock turbo and replacement for its 135k miles...... I have actually decided to just put some new lifters in and put it back together. I will do the heads later on, probably this winter. I need to get this car back in my garage as it is in secure storage about 40 miles away.

I did go to NAPA and pick up a new set of lifters and valley pan as well.... I had to buy 1 pushrod as the collapsed lifter beat on the end a little and it had some stress cracks in it. What is the part number for the ARP bolts??? Can I get them from summitt??? I'm leaning towards using the fel-pro gaskets and thinking about ordering up a set ........ TBF

 

[tom h]

Re: Re: I'm pulling heads... best head gaskets?

Originally posted by TurboDave
With your setup, I'd feel comfortable recommeding FelPro 9441PT's

Felpro's web site lists 2 head gasket #s for turbo 3.8L:

9441PT
9441B

What's the difference

 

[TurboDave]

The PT stands for "perma torque". They have a sort of sticky feel on both sides of the gasket. I feel they seal exceptionally well.

And unless you do something really stupid (don't ask), they'll take some incredibly insane abuse.