7.3 IDI Thicker Head Gasket Source other than Fel-Pro

[MasterChiefIDI]

I was trying to find out if anyone knows why I could get my hands on an extra thick head gasket for our engines? .020-.030" thicker than stock? I received back my block from my machinist after putting 8 sleeves in it and decked .007" off block. Was planning to use fel-pro gasket (.010" thicker than stock) and .010" reduced compression mahle pistons. Everything looks great except for some reason he sloped my fire ring surface into the cylinder dropping .020-.030" down. Absolutely awful to see. I am wanting to find out if a thicker head gasket exists or even a custom vendor before I approach my machinist to make it right.

At this point, I can't use my block. Appreciate any help.

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[Kdo58]

I would check with Cdd.

 

[IDIBRONCO]

To me, it sounds like the machinist should be replacing the block.

 

[Black dawg]

So the sleeves are not flush with the deck surface?

 

[MasterChiefIDI]

So the sleeves are not flush with the deck surface?

That is correct. And for some reason, he sloped the deck into the under flushed sleeves. I measured the worse cylinder and it is .020" to deck the block to the top of the sleeve. I'm afraid he's ruined my block without the option of a thicker head gasket. Guess won't really know unless I measure piston protrusion and see if another .020 is even feasible off the deck.

 

[franklin2]

I thought you guys always complained that the fire ring on the headgasket around the bore always pushed down the sleeve in the block anyway? And the best sleeves were the ones with the lip on top that could not move down?

 

[ihc1470]

The machinist I worked with years ago when installing repair sleeves would leave a ledge at the bottom of the hole for the sleeve to sit on. That way there is no way for the sleeve to drop. The other way is as franklin says a sleeve with a lip on top.

This block pictured could be salvaged however I am guessing starting over with another block would be more economical.

 

[Black dawg]

Have him come look at it, not that he doesnt already know, but that can not be made to work.

 

[miked]

The sleeve would have protruded above the block face at install. Looks like he went to far when he was machining it down to bring it flush to the face useing his boring bar.

 

[K-nite]

In the small attachment picture you can see that the block was only sanded by hand, not on a surfacing machine, which is okay for at home, but a machine shop, no way. The indentation with the arrows is from the fire ring of the old head gasket, they move a tiny bit normally. Miked is correct in poor sleeve install. I used head saver shims from Innovative Machine and Supply innomach.com on my last build to drop the compression, plus the reduced height pistons. 10,000mi and 20psi boost with no problems so far, just need quality machine work. It's my first time using them, so I don't know how long it will last. Your block will still need to be surfaced properly to use them. Its an option anyway.

 

[Jesus Freak]

This is yet another indicator to me of the correctness of my plan that one day, when I really decide to go the distance with an engine, I'm going to buy my own boring bar and figure it out myself.......then I can only be mad at one guy.... that's crazy.

 

[ttman4]

......then I can only be mad at one guy....

I apologize in advance cause this is slightly kinda off a bit from this original "Thicker Head Gasket Source" thread, but I just had to..........Well I guess best way to say it is......

@Jesus Freak would it be OK if I get mad at you??????
I stay mad at me a LOT!!!! Mad at me about all my mess-ups & Boo-Boos etc, etc every time I pick up a wrench working on my rigs.
Soooo @Jesus Freak , If it's OK I'll just get mad at you instead of me???? It'd sure take a load off of me & give me more time to Boo-Boo...........
(I better say it again though.......it's gonna be lots & lots of MAD headed your way)

 

[hacked89]

Ask him why he chamfered, interested.

 

[ihc1470]

The way this block can be salvaged is to deck it and get it flat. Then the rods will have to be reworked to get the piston height correct again. Then I would suspect the intake will have to be reworked to sit correctly on the heads. Yes it can be done and has been in the past. Is it worth doing on this block? Probably not. Would I have the present machine shop do the work? NO!

If mine unless there are just none to be found I would start over with another block. Once you start reworking rods, manifolds, etc. their value to use in any other engine just went out the door.

 

[Jesus Freak]

I apologize in advance cause this is slightly kinda off a bit from this original "Thicker Head Gasket Source" thread, but I just had to..........Well I guess best way to say it is......

@Jesus Freak would it be OK if I get mad at you??????
I stay mad at me a LOT!!!! Mad at me about all my mess-ups & Boo-Boos etc, etc every time I pick up a wrench working on my rigs.
Soooo @Jesus Freak , If it's OK I'll just get mad at you instead of me???? It'd sure take a load off of me & give me more time to Boo-Boo...........
(I better say it again though.......it's gonna be lots & lots of MAD headed your way)

Bring it on! I got my big boy britches on......