What is the stock thickness for a headgasket, and what other options are out there (to increase compression)?

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Rob
'86 TA 305 TPI
Gutted MAF
Ported Plenum

 

composition type gaskets run .04 and shim type gaskets will run .018. mill the heads and/or zero clearance the deck is the correct way to increase compression. playing with the gasket thickness won't gain you enough to matter and you may run into problems sealing the head to the block.

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ICON Motorsports

1st & 3rd

 

The best way to increase compression on your 305 is replacing the pistons. There was a debate about this before, and I was pretty sure the stock gaskets were around .040. They arent, they are thin. I cant remember the exact number but its around .020 so you arent going to be able to get an increase from the gasket.

 

Actually, I was looking at using 64cc heads, like Vortec, and was wandering if I could get away without having to have them milled. Or if so, not have them milled as much, because I hear they are thin.

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Rob
'86 TA 305 TPI
Gutted MAF
Ported Plenum