I am going to get some head gaskets from a local parts store and I want to make sure that I dont get some that are thicker than stock. If anything, maybe some a little thinner. Problem is I was going to get some for a 91 year model, but dont have any idea if one brand is thinner or thicker or maybe get a different year model gasket. Any suggestions other than special ordering them. It is going on 64 cc heads. thanks

 

Many stock head gaskets on engines with cast iron heads are the steel shim type that are about .018" thickness. Not sure if that's what your particular engine came with or not.

I personally don't like steel shim or copper head gaskets becuase they are tough to seal up on a used block/heads that may not be perfectly flat any more. I am told there are new generation steel shim gaskets that have rubber o-rings around various ports that are much better than the old style, but I haven't used them.

Composition head gaskets do a much better job sealing up old parts, but they are thicker. One of the best I have found is the GMPP .028" head gasket. You can buy them anywhere that carries GMPP parts. I have always bought mine from Scoggin Dickey (SDPC2000.com). They're inexpensive, too- $30 a set.

Standard Fel Pro "rebuilder" head gaskets that come in so many rebuild kits are typically either .039 or .041" thick, depending on the exact model of gasket that's supplied.

 

thanks Damon.