Hi, my block is going to the machine shop on Monday and I still hesitate which way to go; is it better to leave stock .025" deck height and use thin .015" head gasket, or maybe I should go with zero deck and thicker gasket? I really like tight quench height idea as an anti-detonation remedy, so would like to stay in .040 area. Sealing surface of the block doesn't need any milling, with flat top pistons and modified chambers in L98 "083" heads CR is goin' to be ~10.0-10.1...

Your opinions are needed here, thx :-)

 

I would say the right way is to go with the zero deck. Good quench goes away real fast when the piston is down in the hole.

Note that before 8 million people come in here and tell you not to use the .015 gasket because it won't seal, that that is NOT the reason for my answer. I'm actually using that same gasket on my 10:1 nitrous motor, and it has yet to have any problems. I think that gasket is a great way to get a bit more compression without machine work.

However, good compression is not the same as good quench. Good quench is going to want the zero deck.

 

Yeah, I don't have anything against these thin gaskets, people who blame 'em didn't usually use any or used it improperly. I asked, because looking at it from 'geometric' point of view I don't notice any difference

 

.040" assembled piston to deck clearance is .040" piston to deck clearance.

Doesn't matter how you get it. I also have never had
a problem using thin .015" head gaskets.
Even on a 12.65:1 compression motor.

Inspect the block decks for straightness. If they need
decking go the "0 deck" route.

Otherwise the .025"+.015" gasket route will get you there just the same.