boared and stroked flathead

Hey fellas I have a question about a boared and stroked flathead. It has a 4" merc crank and bored .060. When we pulled the heads off there were two head gaskets. When we tried to put it back together with one the piston is touching the head there is not enough clearance. Have any of you heard of putting two gaskets for clearance or is that a bad idea. Any info is appreciated

 

Not the best solution, but it works and has been done many times before.

 

you could run a spacer plate instead of two gaskets.

 

But wouldn't that need 2 gaskets anyway?

BTW, was your engine attacked by a wild pig(boared)?
Sorry, can't help it!

 

Sounds like either "pop-up" pistons were installed, or the heads were shaved a wee bit too much.

Or, maybe because the cylinders were boared instead of bored.

 

the spacer plate acts as the head gasket, use a sealer like holimar on both surfaces

 

Likeliest thing is that the rebuilder used Ford pistons for a 3 3/4 stroke. Two gaskets and a little slop in the specs would add up to about what you have.