[DHVoorhees]

Originally Posted by gtofreek

The problem with the Cometics, in this case, is they do not have the kick-out's to clear the cylinder chamfers for the combustion chambers. The gasket will actually cut across the chamfer just enough to allow it to hang into the combustion chamber which would burn it out over time. Cometic's only come configured for the open chamber heads and cylinder chamfers. You can't use them on 67 and older engines, already been down that road. I have a factory style, steel layer gasket for a 326 at work, I will look to see if it has a brand or part # on it.

Any luck finding that part number of the head gasket that you mentioned? The Victor Reinz sounds like it's the right gasket but difficult to find any. The ones I found were Part#95-3397vr which is the complete engine gasket set. I only need the head gasket. Is this part what you had found in that 326 you have at work?
Thanks

[gtofreek]

Nope, it's an original gasket. GM Part # 9790081. It also has another part number on it of 3401. The other gasket I was thinking of must be for a 350, because it is too big also.

[DHVoorhees]

I found a Mr.Gasket head gasket from Summit
Mr. Gasket Ultra-Seal Head Gaskets 5810G.
Head Gasket; Ultra Seal; Head Gasket; Solid Steel Core; Laminated Outer Facing; 4.205 in. Gasket Bore; 0.038 i


The profile and material content sound like it is the correct one but has a larger than expected Bore size. Might be because of the cutouts on the inner sides of the bore.
Has anyone used this gasket with success??

[DHVoorhees]

Based on what "gtofreek" mentioned about the 3401 stamped on the head gasket he has, I found the "Victor Reinz #3401vc" that has good reviews. It was tough to locate but I found it at DavesDiscountParts for a reasonable price.

[72blackbird]

I built a 326 a few years ago too- the owner also wanted to use the stock heads too, but when I heard his power expectations we both knew better heads were needed. We opted for KRE D-ports milled to 58cc and fitted with 2.05/1.66 valves. The chamfers did need to be repositioned to work with the KRE heads, but it was well worth the effort.

Cam selected was a Comp cams XE 268H- it has your typical lopey Comp cams idle, but it still works with the power brakes. Stock Sealed Power pistons were used for different reasons, but 4340 H-beams were used along with the stock crank to help the rotating assembly balance without Mallory metal. The block was also decked and SCR was set to 10:1. We also used the Victor-Reinz 3401VC head gaskets. The 326 was finished off with a port-matched performer, Holley 750 Vacuum secondary, and Hooker Comp headers.

So how did this build turn out? The owner loves it, and has trouble convincing people it's only a 326 and not a 400. Imagine what this little 326 could do with some head porting and a roller cam. The 326 has alot of potential most Pontiac owners never realize.

[RamAirIV28]

326 was a good little engine in its day and a rebuild is fully justified to maintain the value and originality. but for any other reason a 400 makes better sense

[1967Tempest]

Originally Posted by RamAirIV28

326 was a good little engine in its day and a rebuild is fully justified to maintain the value and originality. but for any other reason a 400 makes better sense

DONT LISTEN!!!! LOL!!!

Seriously you will not be unhappy with a 326. They run cool and last forever! If you were closer, I would unload the wagon and take you for a hell ride. You would swear its bigger and has more power then a 326.

Did you actually get a tracking number for those head gaskets? If so I need the phone number as I am ordering what they have left!!

Thanks
Dave

[DHVoorhees]

Originally Posted by 1967Tempest

DONT LISTEN!!!! LOL!!!

Seriously you will not be unhappy with a 326. They run cool and last forever! If you were closer, I would unload the wagon and take you for a hell ride. You would swear its bigger and has more power then a 326.

Did you actually get a tracking number for those head gaskets? If so I need the phone number as I am ordering what they have left!!

Thanks
Dave

Dave,
I actually just received a REFUND notice from my Head Gasket order .
Back to square 1.

[1967Tempest]

I knew it! I will help out and see if I can find some.

[c5farmer]

http://forums.maxperformanceinc.com/...d.php?t=712279

[goatwgn]

Originally Posted by 1967Tempest

DONT LISTEN!!!! LOL!!!

Seriously you will not be unhappy with a 326. They run cool and last forever! If you were closer, I would unload the wagon and take you for a hell ride. You would swear its bigger and has more power then a 326.

Did you actually get a tracking number for those head gaskets? If so I need the phone number as I am ordering what they have left!!

Thanks
Dave

Mine only had a lifter tick when I pulled it back in 1987 with almost 300,000 miles. They do run forever. Could likely have installed lifters and kept going for the other 100,000 miles (and beyond) that I have put on the car since then. Wanted to go the "easy" high powered route back then and installed the 455.

[goatwgn]

Originally Posted by 1967Tempest

I knew it! I will help out and see if I can find some.

I have someone I can ask tomorrow if I get chance.

[1967Tempest]

Originally Posted by c5farmer

http://forums.maxperformanceinc.com/...d.php?t=712279

OUT OF STOCK

[helmerrock]

I've got a set of the 3401VC gaskets. Not sure what they are worth, maybe $40? I know they were hard to find when I needed them a couple years ago and somehow I ended up with a couple sets. Current project is a 400 so won't be using these. Steve

[helmerrock]

Daryl Here are the pics.

[goatwgn]

Checked and found out they supposedly stopped making them about 3 years ago. Gaskets for the larger bore engines will work, but lose a little compression. (They do there job and seal up the engine.) You should get the ones from helmerrock. I think that is your best bet at this point. PY should check into having these reproduced if enough people submit it to them to make it worthwhile.

[DHVoorhees]

Originally Posted by helmerrock

Daryl Here are the pics.

Thanks Helmerrock. Check your Private Messages.

[1967Tempest]

Ill bite. Make 326/350 gaskets PY!

[54nomore]

Hello,
I've been following this thread because I too am rebuilding a 326 right now. I was hoping to clear something up regarding the head gasket discussion.
The nicely contoured 350 specific gasket is just that, a 350 gasket. The combustion chamber and "notches" in the bores are offset to the outboard side on the 326 and that 350 gasket would be a big no-no on a 326. It would be nice if someone made a more contoured gasket for the 326 as I hate giving up the compression using the #8518 but it will do the job as mentioned previously. Here's some pics of mine showing the off-center chambers and notches.

Just trying to help, Ron.

[DHVoorhees]

Originally Posted by 54nomore

Hello,
I've been following this thread because I too am rebuilding a 326 right now. I was hoping to clear something up regarding the head gasket discussion.
The nicely contoured 350 specific gasket is just that, a 350 gasket. The combustion chamber and "notches" in the bores are offset to the outboard side on the 326 and that 350 gasket would be a big no-no on a 326. It would be nice if someone made a more contoured gasket for the 326 as I hate giving up the compression using the #8518 but it will do the job as mentioned previously. Here's some pics of mine showing the off-center chambers and notches.

Just trying to help, Ron.

Welcome 54nomore. Thanks for your input.

Last night on my way home from work I stopped by my local machine shop (JB Auto Machine Shop in Baltimore County) to see if they had any left over Victor Reinz head gaskets but no luck. I ended up buying a set from a member on this forum. Thanks Steve. We also discussed having work done on my 094 heads to improve performance. ... milling(about 0.020) to increase CR, hardened valve seats on the exhaust ports, replacing rocker studs to screw in type. I'm going to do the porting work myself. That should be about it for the head modifications along with a new flat tapet VooDoo LUN-10510701 cam, new cam bearings, hydraulic lifters and new springs.