273 commando Build

stroker402 said
Toolmanmike and others can you answer this question >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
Are steel shim head gaskets made of embossed steel like they are described as or are they made with a composite material like felpros?
I've seen a pair on the internet saying they were the steel shim gaskets but they looked like they were composite like felpros. this image is for a 273 head gasket and it does not look like a steel shim gasket at all . what gives?
maybe some you have torn apart these engine over the years can tell us what is suppose to be installed from the factory , steel metal shim or composite ?

View attachment 1715160940

A steel shim gasket is exactly that, a flat piece of thin steel stamped on a set of dies to emboss it to the designed shape. The gasket you pictured would be considered a composite gasket although fairly thin. I used the silver colored composite gaskets on my 273 and so far, after many years, are doing fine. You will loose a bit of compression, I am guessing a half point possibly, but you don't want to build a engine and not have it pump gas friendly. 9.5/1 is a good number with cast heads.