[RMMAN]

I need to replace the head gaskets on my 69 RA IV engine. Should I go with the older design Fel-Pro #8518PT or one of the newer steel composite designs? I do not know what brand it is, but the ones in the Ames catalog appear to be the newer steel composite design. For me, reliability is much more important than the cost of the gasket.

[74Grandville]

I would go with the Fel-Pro 1016 as the newer gaskets require a specific finish to ensure they seal properly.

[PAUL K]

Butler's head gaskets are the most reliable for a high performance street build.

[Verdoro 68]

I used the old blue FelPro gaskets for years but went with the Butler head gasket on my recent build. So far so good. One advantage with the Butler gasket is that there is more material between the water path and the cylinder bore potentially mitigating a spot that could blow through. They're a little thicker - .045 vs. .039 on the FelPro.

[mgarblik]

I have also had excellent luck with the Butler head gaskets. They are a black composite graphite gasket. I think they refer to them as the Fitzgerald gasket. I like the way you can build your own custom gasket set on their web site. Buying exactly what you want as far as materials, gasket thickness and such. Plus their intake front O-ring is thicker and the only one that will seal correctly. Their stuff is top notch and about the same price as Fel-Pro.

[lust4speed]

Don't know if the gaskets are the same from years ago but the only real complaint with the Butler head gaskets is upon a freshen half the gasket stuck to the block and the other to the head mandating cleaning up both surfaces with a razor blade. Has that changed?

Felpro's leaves a little blue coloration on both surfaces that can be ignored. Lot less clean up work.

[Dragncar]

Does ROL still make Pontiac head gaskets ?
I have had good luck with them. Both the performance set and their standard grey head gaskets have never failed me.

[TransAm 474]

We have always had excellent results with the Felpro 1016's ... never have used the Butler gasket, so no experiance with those

[tom s]

Have used the Butler gaskets for years.They make valve angle specific gaskets.Tom

[jhein]

Nobody has mentioned Cometic head gaskets. Just curious as to what kind of situation would require that? The reason I'm wondering is because that's what my builder used on my motor, which is nothing particularly special.

[mgarblik]

Originally Posted by lust4speed

Don't know if the gaskets are the same from years ago but the only real complaint with the Butler head gaskets is upon a freshen half the gasket stuck to the block and the other to the head mandating cleaning up both surfaces with a razor blade. Has that changed?

Felpro's leaves a little blue coloration on both surfaces that can be ignored. Lot less clean up work.

No, that has not changed. They stick to both surfaces like crazy! I look at that as an advantage, not a problem. Gasket is doing it's job. Clean-up is a razor blade operation and a mess. But they seal. Cometic gaskets are great as well. Expensive and not needed for "normal builds" IMO. Both surfaces must be very smooth and within the surface roughness specs. they specify. So an expensive profilometer is recommended to measure block and heads before using them. We just bought one for the school. Mitsutoyo portable. Several thousand dollars for the tool.

[Dragncar]

Mr.Gasket makes a MLS head gasket for us.
https://www.holley.com/products/gask...ts/parts/5810G

They used to make their version of a Cometic, 120$ each but are discontinued.
I can find only a single in stock.
I have 2 I am saving.
https://www.lethalperformance.com/mr...ket-3250g.html

[Gach]

I know the Cosmetics are expensive, but you can get them in any thickness, and the beauty part is you can reuse them. I’ve reused mine twice. No issues…But hey to each his own. Mine are .52 thousands thick.

[PAUL K]

Butler gaskets are still a mess. The trick is to put the shiny side down. That way the sticky part is on the head which makes clean-up a lot easier. Butler gaskets are correctly advertised as needing a re-torque. IMO all head gaskets need to be re-torqued regardless of how they are advertised. But that is a different subject.

[Schurkey]

Originally Posted by Dragncar

Mr.Gasket makes a MLS head gasket for us.
https://www.holley.com/products/gask...ts/parts/5810G

Features:

Five layer (graphite core/perforated steel outer layers) composite construction
Graphite core has excellent thermo-conductivity-transfers heat away from hot spots in head preventing gasket burn-out
Provides excellent stability, compressibility and high temperature endurance
Coated with high temperature silicone to ensure sealing of engine fluids

That's not a Multi-Layer Steel (MLS) head gasket.

Originally Posted by Dragncar

They used to make their version of a Cometic, 120$ each but are discontinued.
I can find only a single in stock.
I have 2 I am saving.
https://www.lethalperformance.com/mr...ket-3250g.html

Advertised as MLS, but the (crappy) photo doesn't look like MLS to me.

[Gach]

Originally Posted by RMMAN

I need to replace the head gaskets on my 69 RA IV engine. Should I go with the older design Fel-Pro #8518PT or one of the newer steel composite designs? I do not know what brand it is, but the ones in the Ames catalog appear to be the newer steel composite design. For me, reliability is much more important than the cost of the gasket.

If cost isn’t and issue then definitely get the Cometic‘s.

[Schurkey]

Originally Posted by Gach

If cost isn’t and issue then definitely get the Cometic‘s.

Which may or may not require remachining of the block decks and heads to assure an appropriately-flat and smooth gasket surface.

[Dragncar]

Its a RAIV engine. Pretty much anything other than a Cometic will work fine.

[Dragncar]

Originally Posted by PAUL K

Butler gaskets are still a mess. The trick is to put the shiny side down. That way the sticky part is on the head which makes clean-up a lot easier. Butler gaskets are correctly advertised as needing a re-torque. IMO all head gaskets need to be re-torqued regardless of how they are advertised. But that is a different subject.

How many heat cycles with 1016s and aluminum heads do you recommend a re-torque ?

[Gach]

Cometic‘s. Don’t require you to re-torque the heads. I have never retorqued my heads on both builds. Never ever had a issue. Of course if you feel more comfortable on some else recommendation…then hey go for it. This is just my opinion but being able to reuse them is definitely a money saver. Plus they come off nice and clean.