I'm building a 383 and just recieved a set of Dart Iron Eagle Heads, 200/72's. I also just recieved an Edel RPM manifold and Fel-Pro 1205 gasket. The manifold and gasket match nicely but the gasket to head have a 1/4" mismatch at the coolant port. The port is the correct size but shifted up by about 1/4". In fact, most of the Blue Seal will miss at the bottom edge. My feable mind went Tilt while searching for some logic. Then I'm thinking to myself why spend money on a performance water pump with a restriction like this. I finaly got in touch with Dart Tech and without much explanation I was told 'That's just the way it is'. Any comment?

All parts are not machined the same, they should be, but they are not. I always trim my gaskets on every engine part except head gaskets, to make them fit perfetly. You can always make your own gaskets, from the material that mr gasket sells, it even comes in different widths so you can taylor the gaskets to your combo.

GTA, thanks for your reply but doesn't 1/4" seem beyond normal gasket match and beyond normal casting shift?

I'm using Dart IE's on my 383. I've got the 215's and there is a mismatch on the passsages. Although it's not as severe as yours. Only about 1/8" using a Fel-Pro 1205 intake gasket.

Anybody out there running 200cc Dart Iron heads?

well...not ieagles but close enough...200cc sportsman 2's (almost the same damn thing!!) 64cc 202/160 valves..oh yeah on my heads the coolant holes are right on the money same gaskets as you!!

------------------
89 firebird formula

360 11.0:1compression (350 .060 over)/fully balnced and blueprinted
comp cams xe262 cam
performer rpm intake/port matched to heads
#1407edlebrock 750
sportsman 2 heads 64cc 2.02/1.60 valves 200cc intake runner/cnc pocket ported
msd 6al/msd8.5 super condutor wires
h.e.i. proform 50,000 volt vac. advance ditributor
700r-4 with 3.08 first gear and 3.23 posi 7 5/8 rear end.
b trans shift kit(will kill shifts...suck dong!!)
shorty heddman hedders with custom 3" pipe y-pipe back(no damn cat!) with 40 series flowmaster!
griffin daul1" core rad.cutom fabrication to fit(but no cutting )

future mods: 406 roller REALLY REALLY REALLY RADICAL!!!!!

My IE215's are off slightly, I am using the biggest MR gasket intake gaskets, For the life of me I can't remember the #. The water passages are off by about 1/8th of an inch, not enough to keep it from sealing though.
I'd start chewing someone out where you bought them from.
John

------------------
82 Firebird,408,Dart Iron Eagle 215's,Cam 229/239, .498/.520,TH350 Tranny, 750 Speed Demon carb, Hooker Headers(I.E. POS) Manual steering, Also a cowl for the big hole in the hood.
Shooting for low 12's.
Check out my birds new home.