I've got a 455+.038 that I purchased years ago (Dave Benisek had this one built), the block is o-ringed, running copper head gasket with 12.9 to 1 CR, with cast iron heads. All cylinders were leaking a little at the low(exhaust) side of head. I plan on installing Stage 2's with the additional stud on low side. My questions are, do I need to run the copper gasket or will others work as well with the o-ring? Can I run a head gasket without the o-ring wire and still have adequate sealing? Thanks in advance for any input, Tom
My buddy had an o-ringed block with 14:1. He decided to go away from o-rings and just carefully filed them flat and then ran a FelPro 1125, never an issue.
Depends on where they put the groove. Usually the groove is close enough to the bore that the fire ring of a composition gasket would still have material underneath it. If that is the case, then just leave the rings out, and gasket as normally. I have done this several times over the years with no issues. JW