Small block head gasket question

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pittsburghracer

pittsburghracer

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hey guys my son has a 1973 (340) shortblock and I’m porting a set of Speedmaster heads for him. What are you thoughts on using 8553PT Felpros one it. I have a set here that I will never use as Matt and I either go with 1008’s or Cometics. This will be a lower compression, purple shaft cam, street car deal. Like to help him as much as I can. Thanks.
 
I ran them years ago with no problems in a stock bottom end 340.Car would go 11.59 best.
 
Hey John, I use the 8553PTs quite a bit. If I remember they are only .010 to .012 thicker than the 1008. I 've never had a problem with them. Love your head porting threads by the way. Bob
 
I've had no problem running them using iron and aluminum heads with just under 11:1 and 590+ horsepower. And yep, they are a thicker head gasket at right around .050"
 
The indestructible head gasket, you'll break something else or crack a head before you blow one. I don't remember if they're what speedmaster recommends to run, but these are rebranded and sold by Edelbrock in their card pack with the plastic wrap for around 250% markup. Another honorable mention with a little smaller bore size is Felpro 107050. Fel-Pro 17050 Fel-Pro Performance Marine Head Gaskets | Summit Racing
One I've been wanting to try lately a set of Mr.Gasket rubber coated .040 MLS with the 4.125 bore size.
 
Thanks guys I thought I’ve read where you guys ran them. They are here so he might as well use them as the price is right. Lol. If I remember right the 1973 340 engines were only 8.5-1.
 
Looks like that will save him 36.00-40.00 and I gave a good after market set of head bolts so he will be good to go.
 
Two of my sons run the 8553s. One is at 10.7:1 in an 85 long bed and the other is 11.2:1 in a Valiant.
 
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yellow rose said:
I’ve used them. They work just fine IF the slightly lower CR won’t make you lose sleep or if you accounted for it.
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He’s in Colorado so I’m not looking for any big horsepower. Just so it’s more powerful than the Fancy VW he had that some drunk totaled.
 
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