What head gaskets for O-ringed block?

[BM Computer Src]

On my Turbo Trans AM, which I recently bought, I am having to replace a blown drivers side head gasket. It failed by #3, into the lifter valley. I did not know the block was o-ringed until I got the head off. The previous owner had a Felpro 9441PT gasket, which is not an O-ring gasket. I would have thought he would have used a copper one designed for the O-ringing.

Which gasket is best to use?

Car is Not driven daily. It is driven every 3-5 days, for fun and track time occasionally. Drag strip 1 time a month and road racing every few months, so I'm hard on it when I race it.

Thanks,
Bob

 

[Louie L.]

Bob,
Who did the block work? If the block is o ringed,(stainless wire inserted into block) u should stick with the 9441 or a 1000 gasket. This design is supposed to pinch the stock style gasket for better retention. If the heads have been oringed then u need a 1007 gasket. Going with a copper gasket is not a good idea but for a race car.

Good Luck

 

[BM Computer Src]

The block has the O-ringing in it, but there were no stainless pieces in them, just an open ring and the 9441's.

 

[Louie L.]

Ok that dont sound right. If u had the oring on the block it should have a small stainless wire inseretd which portudes into the deck and pinched the gasket. This is the infamous ruggles style.

The only other 0 ring would be for the 1007 FP gasket. The grove is cut into the Head, not the block. Nothing goes into the groove other than the gasket fire ring which gets trapped in the groove. I know this style has been done on block instead of heads, but its not common.

can u describe the oring?
The Fel Pro is supposed to be cut .085 wide and .008 deep. The ruggles is significantly thinner than that.

 

[BM Computer Src]

I'll get some pics of it tomorrow. I would agree that it looks like it should have the stainless wire to pinch the gasket. I looked at the old gasket, and it "formed" or was pressed into the o-ring groove, as you can feel the ridge it made on the gasket.

 

[Chyke]

Head gaskets

A very common set up is to use the 9441's with the block o-ringed, with copper wire. This is how I originally set mine up. I would install the wire (or have someone familiar with this procedure do it) and than use teh 9441's. Make sure the wire sits properly on the gasket before final assembly. Also the wire in this case should not stick out of the block more than 0.10 Remember to follow teh corret torque recommendations for these gaskets.