o ring heads

can you get by o ringing the heads and no reciver groves on the block with copper head gaskets,on a blown bbc no more then 30lbs of boost. engine builder says you can, anybody have experince in this.thanks

 

o ring

I had a BB chevy with Dart 360 heads like that. Never had a big problem, but the engine builder would only use a certain thickness head gasket. But I would do both. If you get into sealing problems, you will need to tear it apart and get it done. during the racing season. and we all would be happier racing than looking at it during the nice weekends. Don

 

well what happens it will seal on the head side but it will become a problem on the block side..case here why o-ring at all if you only have the heads done..if your having a sealing problem 1/2 fixed will only fix half the problem, o-ringing the block is very simple..
Dave

 

i have the same question. my heads have been cut, but my Dart block has not. 565 BBC with less than 25lb of boost 12-71 with carbs on alky

 

Up to 20# I use the MLS head gaskets without any problems. More than 20#, I use copper with o-rings and reciever grooves. Normal cost to o-ring and reciever groove is around 3 to 4 hundred dollars. Not bad for peace of mind!

 

I've run 27 LBS in a BBC with O-Rings in the block and nothing done to the heads. That was with copper head gaskets too. I'd agree with everyone else though to do the o-ring and receiver groove for peace of mind. You also cannot forget what happens when you are running at 30 LBS and it just isn't quick enough for you anymore.

 

"can you get by with"
Well, probably, maybe, etc .
I have gotten by with screwing bar tramps without a rubber, that does not make it a good idea. I ceretainly don't recommend it.
With that being said... how much does it cost to do the job right 1x? How much does it cost to do it half assed 2x? It always costs more to do it half assed 2x.
O-rings and receiver grooves is the "right way" to do it. According to FC. They know a little about copper head gaskets. That does not mean the half assed way won't work for a while. Still not the right way.
Wags

 

As always you'll find many opinions.

There are five sets of heads sitting in the shop with only 1 set that has receiving grooves (our blocks have the wire in them) and that set is not our highest HP set. Our stuff is from .051"-.082" thick, Clark copper head gaskets. We make 15-25 runs a year, 3 engines at a time.

I once put the shutoff valve in backawards, leaned out the motor and blew the gaskets out (on the set with receiving grooves) like shrapnel, about 25 feet down the track, so its not like recievers make it bullet proof.

BBC's 540 cid and up, 30 psi and just rich enough to not melt aluminum

Give it enough fuel, not more timing than the dyno likes and in my experience you will be fine. (detonate it and you'll be spitting head gaskets out)