394 olds head gaskets

[briggs&strattonChev]

hey guys, I have a (hopefully) simple question

Are all 394 olds head gaskets the same, or did they differ in some way over the years?

Also, how do I tell the difference between a 394 from a 324 or a 371 (or other similar looking engine)?

Any help is appreciated

Briggs

[Paul]

the ones I've seen have all been the same sandwiched steel gaskets.

the 394 has a 4-1/8" bore, I think http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/tongue.gif it's been a few years..

Paul

[Blownolds]

Nope, not all the same. Aftermarket replacements were available in steel shim, layers, and now Fel-Pro apparently sells them in blue.

There is a difference in the oiling hole area between '59-60 and '61-4.

I think the main differences in '59-up and '58-back is bore size, but there could be other differences as well perhaps.

[twjoyce]

Hey Nate, I'm a dealer for Best Gasket. I would have to check for sure on Monday but I am pretty sure he made all the 394 gaskets the same because the differences didn't make a difference. Best has the head gaskets in a great Graphite/Teflon composite and are the same in function as Fel Pro Blues. The difference being I can sell just the head gaskets, with Fel Pro its a full set need it or not. I didn't forget the pics of the zoomies either, will try to get em after I get back from the Pile Up. Tom

[Blownolds]

Tom, shhhhhhhh. They're for a super-secret project. http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif

I forgot about Best, I was just thinking Victor, Fel-pro, Fitzgerald.