got an o-ringed block

[clone 94]

i just picked up an assembled built block that has been o-ringed. i'll be using this motor in my truck

my bowtie heads dont have receiver grooves. i have searched and found basic info in older thread where some people with an o-ringed block ran the heads with no receiver grooves. a few types of head gaskets were recommended but mostly copper gaskets. all of these guys did this with stock type (iron) heads

now that its been a few years, i'm hoping there is more info/experience on this topic. question is can i run the heads as is with no receiver grooves? what gaskets are best? can the rings be milled flat and use a regular gasket, or replace with a flat ring that doesnt stick up above the deck?

 

[wildphil]

Re: got an o-ringed block

I have a 350 in my Camaro that has a o-ring block. And it has aluminum heads. It has a wire in the groove and also copper gaskets. That works well. I have reused the copper gaskets 3 times with no leaks. Make sure you use a wire and not just put a head gasket on. I tried that the first time and it leaked.

 

[clone 94]

Re: got an o-ringed block

thanks for the info, the block has the wire installed. i assume the heads you ran didnt have a receiver groove?

 

[canadian]

Re: got an o-ringed block

i know ed hess ran into the exact same thing. i think the outcome was that the second time he tore down the motor he had receiver grooves machined into the heads. you might try to p/m him about it.

 

[ed hess]

Re: got an o-ringed block

i know ed hess ran into the exact same thing. i think the outcome was that the second time he tore down the motor he had receiver grooves machined into the heads. you might try to p/m him about it.

that was correct, have the grooves cut into the heads.

ed

 

[wildphil]

Re: got an o-ringed block

I did not have the grooves cut in the heads. But It would be a good idea to have it done. It would seal that much better. You sure don't want any problems and have to pull the heads again.

 

[TYTILIDIE]

Re: got an o-ringed block

Mine is the opposite, I have the o-rings in the heads and no receivers in the block. I used SCE copper titan gaskets. I paid about $170 for them.

 

[turbodig]

Re: got an o-ringed block

Unless your intent is to make 1000+ HP, the need for this at all would be questionable. If you can push a properly installed set of Cometics with studs or good head bolts, you've got a major detonation problem.

 

[clone 94]

Re: got an o-ringed block

Unless your intent is to make 1000+ HP, the need for this at all would be questionable. If you can push a properly installed set of Cometics with studs or good head bolts, you've got a major detonation problem.

i realize that. i got this block for about the costs of what the rods alone would have been, so i'm gonna use it

i'll also be using head studs

wildphil what gaskets did you use? part number?

thanks to all for the responses

 

[TYTILIDIE]

Re: got an o-ringed block

i realize that. i got this block for about the costs of what the rods alone would have been, so i'm gonna use it

i'll also be using head studs

wildphil what gaskets did you use? part number?

thanks to all for the responses

This was basically the same boat I was in. Had the heads not come o-ringed I would have never bothered with it, just would have went with cometic.

 

[clone 94]

Re: got an o-ringed block

This was basically the same boat I was in. Had the heads not come o-ringed I would have never bothered with it, just would have went with cometic.

its good to know people have run them this way with some success

i really dont want to put grooves in the heads, they are bowties and i have plans of using them on another motor in my garage in the future, no o-rings. i assume that once the heads are grooved, the grooves would have to be heliarched in and the heads planed in order to use them on a no o-ring setup?

 

[wildphil]

Re: got an o-ringed block

The only reason I have a o-ring block is becauce it was that way when I bought it also.

It has been a long time since I bought my copper gaskets. I bought them in 1983(they last awhile and are reuseable). I don't know the part number. The SCE should be good.

 

[FxsX24]

Re: got an o-ringed block

ok im lost, wtf is a o-ringed block

 

[clone 94]

Re: got an o-ringed block

see the copper looking rings around the cylinders?

 

[FxsX24]

Re: got an o-ringed block

yeah, now whats the benefit?

i would have thought it to be resleved, but thats not common on automobiles

 

[clone 94]

Re: got an o-ringed block

well i talked to a cometic dealer, he can get me a set for 139 shipped, awesome price. but according to him they cannot be run with o-rings at all, the block would have to be decked or the grooves filled in somehow

 

[turbot]

Re: got an o-ringed block

Now it' been a while but I seem to remember Felpro making head gasket for Buick excepting the o-ring in the block know this would have been mid 90' before the steel shim craze. If you call them they might make them for a Chevy but I don't think they worked that great on a 3.8 but the Chevy block has more Head bolts.

PS nice to see some else locale

 

[clone 94]

Re: got an o-ringed block

fel-pro 1002 is the part number i have found thanks to a member here. right around 100$ for a set. i may try these but i'm leaning towards copper gaskets, gonna call sce monday to see what they think

turbot where do you live?

 

[Z SKI]

Re: got an o-ringed block

Any updates, i need to find some head gaskets fro my o-ringed block.
Thanks,

 

[TYTILIDIE]

Re: got an o-ringed block

Any updates, i need to find some head gaskets fro my o-ringed block.
Thanks,

Didn't you read the post son?