218 Head gasket.....

[stu]

Hello, can anyone quote the thickness of a standard 218 head gasket? Mine seems really thin, like .010"

 

Thanks, 

 

Stu

[vintage6t]

Don't know off hand but I have some NOS gaskets I can measure tomorrow and post back.

[stu]

Hey, thank you!

[sser2]

Should be measured in compressed state after torquing to specs, otherwise meaningless.

[Don Coatney]

1 hour ago, sser2 said:

Should be measured in compressed state after torquing to specs, otherwise meaningless.

 

.072"

 

 

[stu]

Thank you Don, that is what I needed to know. Yours appears to be a composite gasket. Mine is a single layer of copper, .012".

 

[thebeebe5]

Cometic will make a gasket to match that one (or nearly...) if you need it.  Otherwise, Don has the answer.   I’ve measured both old take-off gaskets  and new FelPro composite gaskets in the 0.075”  range.  Have not had a copper shim gasket to measure as of yet.  I will say that if your pistons are zero decked (piston tops exactly even with block deck) you’ll want a thicker gasket.  Should have about 0.035-0.040” quench for best running.  

[greg g]

The solid copper gasket will not do much compressing when torqued.  They are reusable after they have been annealed.  The annealing process relaxes the metal restoring its malleability, bringing it back to usefullness.