Flathead Gaskets

[Bruce Lancaster]

I finally have the numbers for the new style "VR2000" material FelPro headgaskets for flatheads. These are the type with blue (Teflon??) mystery material on the sealing surfaces like current SBC gaskets. I'm ordering some to see what's what.
NAPA Numbers:

NGA 1026K, 59A type with the small holes that should be used on all early 24 stud engines, with mods for the prewar kind.
These are listed at $22.49 on the NAPA website.
For 8BA type engines, NGA 1084K (Right) and 1085 (Left), 18.49 each.
I don't see big bore ones in the modern material on the NAPA list. Anyone have a recent FelPro catalog??

[Kevin Lee]

So does .040 over mean using an overbore gasket? I couldn't get big bore anything from NAPA. And the gaskets I did get were apparently the old style - sort of an aluminum sandwich.

[Bruce Lancaster]

No--big bore starts beyond normal overhaul bores. All normal parts store piston sizes use stock gaskets.
Gasket catalog lists big bore range. NAPA has big bore earlies, but in the old copper sandwich style.

[Flat Ernie]

Bruce,

I'll be interested in what you find out - are you ordering both types (59A & 8BA)?

I recall (and I'm sure you do too) a discussion last year on Fordbarn where someone (maybe Ole Jim?) actually called Fel-Pro & got told there were no Blue flathead gaskets or something to that effect...it's so fuzzy now & a search of the archives was unproductive.

So keep us informed!

Thanks!
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[Bruce Lancaster]

They do indeed exist--I saw them live at the V8 meeting, lost the damn piece of paper with number, and re-researched them--I'll report when I have my own set. Will order only early. Late heads UGLY. Bah.

[Petejoe]

[ QUOTE ]
Late heads UGLY. Bah

[/ QUOTE ]
I agree with that one. The heads that have the outlet at the center look so much more balanced to the eye.
Besides...didn't Henry change them to provide better coolant flow??

[Kevin Lee]

Come on guys, be nice to the late heads...you're going to make me cry.

[Flat Ernie]

[ QUOTE ]
...didn't Henry change them to provide better coolant flow??

[/ QUOTE ]

Yep, the late heads are supposed to improve the flow by forcing the water from the pump at the front to the back of the block & back to the front of the heads...

FWIW, I like the looks of the early heads too!

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[Bruce Lancaster]

The late heads can be modified for proper appearance by leaning them against the big can you see in front of your neighbor's house once a week and waiting for the "cylinder head fairy" to work his magic. Then plug the two extraneous holes, and lay on the weiands. Late heads go on CUSTOMS.
Get your VW consultants to check out the bad plug hole on the heads and let me know if they fix.

[296 V8]

[ QUOTE ]
So does .040 over mean using an overbore gasket? I couldn't get big bore anything from NAPA. And the gaskets I did get were apparently the old style - sort of an aluminum sandwich.

[/ QUOTE ]

Isn’t big bore considered 125 over / 3 5/16”…………..on up.

[Digger_Dave]

[ QUOTE ]
Come on guys, be nice to the late heads...you're going to make me cry.

[/ QUOTE ]

As much as I like the "looks" of the EARLY heads; I run into a clearance problem with the blower and early heads. The later style heads solves the problem.

So.. "If you can't be with (use) the one(s) you love; love the one(s) your with!" (need to use)
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[Flat Ernie]

[ QUOTE ]
I'll report when I have my own set. Will order only early.

[/ QUOTE ]

Bruce, did you ever get any of these cool blue Fel-Pro gaskets? Any updates?

Enquiring minds want to know... http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif


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[286merc]

Late heads UGLY. Bah

Bah yerself. Early blocks and heads should be relegated to the recycler!

Working with and on an 8BA mill is so much less frustrating.

[296 V8]

Id like to know when do you need big bore gaskets for sure. I need some for a 3 5/16 motor right now. Am I wasting time whating for a $$$ set of copper big bores?

[Flat Ernie]

[ QUOTE ]
Id like to know when do you need big bore gaskets for sure.

[/ QUOTE ]

I built a .125" over 8BA nearly 10yrs ago & if I recall correctly, I used standard gaskets. I don't think you need a big-bore gasket until beyond 3-5/16"...

Have you put a stock gasket on your block yet & looked?


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[286merc]

Ive been using FelPro 1055/1056 copper sandwich gaskets on 3 5/16 bore 8BA's for decades. Give them a coat of aluminum spray paint any you'll never have a leak either.

[296 V8]

No Ernie I haven’t had a stock one on. I had the big copper ones on and had water in #4. so I pulled it off (the head) and it was warped almost 20 thousands. Its kinda weird they were on a running and driving motor. Then the other day I was looking at f/h Jacks catalog and noticed that he says
“big bore copper head gaskets designed for flatheads with bores from 3 3/8 to 3 7/16”

So I was just kinda wondering if I really need to use the big copper ones when I put it back together. Iv always had real good luck with the blue felpros on overheads.

BTW machinist checked the chambers and one was 40 thousands smaller / lower over the valves in one hole. The others were all over the place to.

[296 V8]

[ QUOTE ]
Ive been using FelPro 1055/1056 copper sandwich gaskets on 3 5/16 bore 8BA's for decades. Give them a coat of aluminum spray paint any you'll never have a leak either.


[/ QUOTE ]
Are those (FelPro1055/1056)considered big bore gaskets?

[Flat Ernie]

[ QUOTE ]
Are those (FelPro1055/1056)considered big bore gaskets?

[/ QUOTE ]

I'm pretty sure they're standard head gaskets. Supposedly the blue FelPros are now avail for flattys - see Bruce's earlier post in this thread. I haven't used 'em yet, but am getting ready to swap heads on an engine & was curious if he'd used 'em yet...

But I think you're find with standard head gaskets at 3-5/16" bore.


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[286merc]

Are those (FelPro1055/1056)considered big bore gaskets?

Nope, just a standard gasket rated up to 3 5/16". Big bore is considered over that; when flattys were $10 in a boneyard and 3 3/8 + 3 7/16 bores were fairly common on the track.

I havent tried the flatty blue ones yet; I'll let someone else be the beta site.
And yes, they do work nice on OHV's; at least on the 351W I did this past summer. However they required retorquing 3 times over about 100 miles. Is that normal?

[twjoyce]

Hey Guys,

I'm a Dealer for the Bast Gasket Co. We have any flathead gaskets you need. Have copper or better yet, a teflon/graphite compostion head gasket that looks and works just like fel-pro blue only they are black in color. I but at Jobber prices and sell to anyone on the HAMB at Dealer prices. Please check with me on prices, if I sell a few I might have enough to work on one of my own cars for a change.

Thanks,
Tom

[Bruce Lancaster]

Yeas, the NAPA VR200's are standard type, good up to 3 5/16. They also have coppers good out until you see water.
The only person I know using the new fancy ones reports good results on an iron headed stocker, with little movement of anything on retorque. I would think the real benefits are with aluminum heads, which move around a lot, but have nothing first hand to report.

[Tman]

Here is a note on the BLUE Fel-Pro gaskets. DO NOT USE ANY GASKET ADHESIVE OR PAINT! When I had to pull my heads, I bought a fresh set of Blue gaskets. I had glued the first ones on. Decided to call their tech line for the second. They said install dry and you will need to re-torque at least 2 times.

[Flat Ernie]

[ QUOTE ]
The only person I know using the new fancy ones reports good results on an iron headed stocker, with little movement of anything on retorque. I would think the real benefits are with aluminum heads, which move around a lot, but have nothing first hand to report.

[/ QUOTE ]

Well, when I get my '34 & swap to Aluminum heads, I think I'll try them out & report back then. I've had good luck with them on OHV engines (302/351W), so why not?

Those p/n at the top of this listing good, Bruce? I'll email 'em to my dad & have him pick up a set for me & send 'em along. Any pricing info on 'em?

TIA

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[Flat Ernie]

Well, when I get my '34 & swap to Aluminum heads, I think I'll try them out & report back then. I've had good luck with them on OHV engines (302/351W), so why not?

Those p/n at the top of this listing good, Bruce? I'll email 'em to my dad & have him pick up a set for me & send 'em along. Any pricing info on 'em?


Got the gaskets - the part number is correct, but the packaging is all wrong - they're Victor-Reinz gaskets, not FelPro, but they are blue...

I'll try 'em anyway...

[blown49]

You can order direct off of their website www.fel-progasket.com the following:

For the 8BA
Part #7525B R.H. Std. bore to 3.270" @ $14.51
Part #7526B L.H. Std. bore to 3.270" @ $14.29

Part #7525B1 R.H. Big bore to 3.420" @ $42.48
Part #7526B1 L.H. Big bore to 3.420" @ $42.48

Material of either of above gaskets not listed

For the early 24 stud
24 stud head; 90,95,100 HP engines w/2 small round holes on the centerline
Part #7283B (no bore listed) @ $17.95
24 stud head, 90,95,100 HP engines w/3 large irregular holes on centerline
Part #7548B (no bore listed) @ $20.12

Material of either of above gaskets not listed

No listing for blue gaskets

[Flatdog]

I finally have the numbers for the new style "VR2000" material FelPro headgaskets for flatheads. These are the type with blue (Teflon??) mystery material on the sealing surfaces like current SBC gaskets. I'm ordering some to see what's what.
NAPA Numbers:

NGA 1026K, 59A type with the small holes that should be used on all early 24 stud engines, with mods for the prewar kind.
These are listed at $22.49 on the NAPA website.
For 8BA type engines, NGA 1084K (Right) and 1085 (Left), 18.49 each.
I don't see big bore ones in the modern material on the NAPA list. Anyone have a recent FelPro catalog??
Bruce,I have a set of hi-tech gastkets from BestGasket Inc. 521 RB in my office.They from Reds I think ,friend of mine ordered a set .Had him get set for me just to look them over.The jury is still out.
Please stop making fun of my heads or I will send Karen over to break your arm.

[Automotive Stud]

Got the gaskets - the part number is correct, but the packaging is all wrong - they're Victor-Reinz gaskets, not FelPro, but they are blue...

I'll try 'em anyway...

I've just put a set on my 59AB with aluminum heads, bored .040 over. They were the victor gaskets from napa, but out of the package they are actually marked fel-pro! I painted them silver on both sides and installed tacky. I torqued the heads down, then twice more after it had been run. I'll probably check the torque one more time after I go for a few more rides with it. So far so good ;)

[Flat Ernie]

I've just put a set on my 59AB with aluminum heads, bored .040 over. They were the victor gaskets from napa, but out of the package they are actually marked fel-pro! I painted them silver on both sides and installed tacky. I torqued the heads down, then twice more after it had been run. I'll probably check the torque one more time after I go for a few more rides with it. So far so good ;)

Hmmm...I didn't look at them closely & haven't taken them out yet. Of course, I'm 3000 miles away again (they're at my dad's). Were yours the blue ones? If so, why'd you paint them silver?

[Automotive Stud]

Hmmm...I didn't look at them closely & haven't taken them out yet. Of course, I'm 3000 miles away again (they're at my dad's). Were yours the blue ones? If so, why'd you paint them silver?

Yep, they were the blue fel-pro's Bruce brought up.

I painted them because I didn't know there was anything special about these blue ones until I saw this thread two months too late :o Oh well, force of habit with the flatheads. I can't see how it would hurt anything.

[Flat Ernie]

Yep, they were the blue fel-pro's Bruce brought up.

I painted them because I didn't know there was anything special about these blue ones until I saw this thread two months too late :o Oh well, force of habit with the flatheads. I can't see how it would hurt anything.

I'll have to take a closer look at mine when they get here.

If yours ain't leakin', they're workin' right! Old habits ain't all bad I 'pose...:D

[Bruce Lancaster]

Bruce,I have a set of hi-tech gastkets from BestGasket Inc. 521 RB in my office.They from Reds I think ,friend of mine ordered a set .Had him get set for me just to look them over.The jury is still out.
Please stop making fun of my heads or I will send Karen over to break your arm.


Hey, Flat Dog, I'm sorry yout heads are ugly! Do you have that thing in the 11's yeT?