Alright guys i know there are other threads out there related to this topic but i a new at installing heads as in the past i have had shops do all the internal, heads, etc. I want to do this all myself (both experience and major budget 'Baby on the way'). I have purchased a set of AFR 195 from a member on here and have recently ripped into the engine. I am trying to determine which head gaskets i need. The engine currently has Speed Pro L2256 pistons. I am not sure on how to measure or determine the gasket size needed. Jegs shows the pistons should be approx. 10.4.1 w/ 58cc and 9.7.1 with 64cc heads. As far as I know did not previously have any milling work done to the block surface. I have done reading on this and have got a little lost on how to measure correctly so any help is greatly appreciated.

I am running a comp cam over .500 lift but do not know what it is exactly. I previously had to get the stock head spring studs pinned and run .550 springs.

Engine is a 383 1pc rear main with stealthram. I built the car originally and sold it 8 years back and just recently bought it back. Just completed a T-56 swap and ZO6 wheels. Just trying to toy around on a tight budget. Eventually i will put the engine out and do a complete rebuild with a nice beefy rotating assembly 'currently its a Powerhouse kit'.

 

Bump.

BEST head gasket recommendation for AFR heads?

 

I've used the Chevy Performance .028" compressed thickness head gaskets with good success many times. I even run them on my mild boosted 383 that has a set of previous generation AFR 190cc heads on it. I like the thinner head gaskets because they keep a nice, tight quench area with the top of the piston but they'll still conform and seal up even if the block or head surface isn't absolutely perfectly flat.

They make two sets- one designed ONLY for a virgin 4.00" bore motor and one that's got a 4.10" opening for engines, like yours probably, that have been bored oversize already.

http://www.summitracing.com/parts/na...6405/overview/

 

Nice! That is quite a difference from the Fel-Pro gasket that AFR recommends on their website. That part #1003 has a compressed thickness of .041 which is quite abit of difference from the .028" gasket you recommended, that will impact CR!
Also, not sure if it's true or not, but a user review on summitracing mentioned that the FelPro part #1003 cut into the heads?! and he recommended part #1010? Compressed thicknesses are .041 and .039 for #1003 and #1010 respectively, but #1003 has a pre-flattened steel wire ring and #1010 has a pre-flattened copper wire ring. Can't believe everything ya read on the internet, but still might be something to consider.

 

I like the thinner gasket unless you're going to zero-deck the block to the pistons. If you're running stock .025" deck height, the thinner Chevy Performance gaskets at least yield a semi-reasonable quench distance.