head gaskets with aluminum heads??

[speedfreak68]

I was talking with an old engine builder about the aluminum heads that I wanted for my engine and he asked me why I would want aluminum heads for a street car. He said that with aluminum heads the head gaskets don't last near as long. I was wondering, was this cured over time with gasket technology or if it was still a problem today?
thanks
Martin

[Ghoste]

Your "old" engine builder needs to get with the times.

[speedfreak68]

So I take it they have improved over time? Just out of curosity, what was the reason for them not lasting?

[Rolling_Thunder]

not lasting is the result of the aluminum head expanding and contracting - causing seepage and leaks...     the fix tends to be use a good gasket (Cometic makes kick ass ones along fith the fel pro perma-torque)  otherwise it is helped and almost always cured by retorquing the head bolts every so often   

[Ghoste]

And if your engine builder thinks aluminumis abd in a street car then modern engines with all the various alloys and composites must really give him fits. 

[speedfreak68]

lol when i said engine builder i meant that he did alot of playing in his day not that its his profession.

[superduperbee]

Gasket technology has evolved in the last 40 years. Cometic or Fel-pro. Have never had one fail, ever.

[flyinlow]

Are the Fel pro 1009 the gasket you recomend? Are retorks needed with these?

[superduperbee]

Yes the 1009. These have the blue adhesive coating. I don't re-torque them. I just go over the torque sequence a couple extra times to be sure everything is perfectly even.

[firefighter3931]

Yes the 1009. These have the blue adhesive coating. I don't re-torque them. I just go over the torque sequence a couple extra times to be sure everything is perfectly even.

The Felpro's have never let me down 


Ron