Hi guys,
I'd to rebuild my 87 camaro LG4 engine.
I bought this kit on summit but I saw different new gaskets. Stock gaskets were aluminum and the height was 0.5mm; the new ones are 1.25mm in thickness. May I use the new gasket set? Will I have trouble or I have to buy new ones?
Best regards and sorry for my bad English

 

If you are measuring the new one out of the box with a caliper/micrometer then that is the wrong measurement. The compressed thickness is what you should go by and that number is usually provided by the manufacture.

You can use the new gasket and it shouldn't give you any problems but it will lower your compression ratio just a little bit.

Fel-Pro brand makes a 0.026" (0.66mm) compressed thickness head gasket which is part number 1142026 which is closer to stock.

The difference is minimal in a street driven car.

 

Should I solve removing more material from my heads? I won't DIY but I bring my engine to mechanicals, they give me the diffenrent measurement.
Thanks for your help

 

Typically the engine block deck surface (the part the head bolts to) has extra material left behind after machining so that it can be resurfaced later on.

Between the extra material and the top of the piston, engine builders will select the gasket thickness to obtain the preferred gap (called quench) between the piston top and the flat portion of the head. Shaving the head will increase the compression but will not help with obtaining the proper quench. This is done to get all the power out of a motor as possible for race classes that have size and weight restrictions.

It would be cheaper to buy the new head gaskets rather than machining parts to fit. Still I think if you are just using this motor for driving on the street and having some fun then I would just install the head gaskets you have.

since you are putting a motor together I have one more tip for you. Do not use the front and rear seals for the intake manifold that is supplied with the kit. Use a RTV sealant like Permatex Ultra Black for the front and rear seals. This is what I have used on both my 86 T/A street car and on many race motors I have assembled and not one has leaked oil. Before applying the RTV you have to make sure that both gasket surfaces are clean and free of any oils. I also use a 3M scotchbrite pad to lightly scuff the gasket surface to enhance the bonding of the RTV to the metal.

 

Thanks for all your precious suggestions. I go on machining block surface too.
What now I need is new valves set because old ones are not yet usable. Is there anywhere on summit a kit for stock valves? Will I also change spring and lifters or anything else? My 305 is stock one with stock cam. Should it be better to substitute cam as well?

 

Since you are rebuilding your motor, you should replace the cam as well.

Buy the cam, lifters, springs, retainers and locks all in one kit. Since this is an 87 motor the cam and lifters will be a little more expensive since this should be a hydraulic roller cam motor. Go to www.CompCams.com web site and fill out the cam recommendation sheet. They will give you their part numbers for all that is required and then you can get those parts from Summit.

Check here for your valves--> http://www.summitracing.com/search/d...-size/5-0l-305