Results 1 to 16 of 16

Thread: Are thick head gaskets legal for compression correction?

  1. #1
    Join Date
    Sep 2008
    Location
    FL.
    Posts
    1,384

    Default Are thick head gaskets legal for compression correction?

    I have a few old race cars that could be over the compression limits for IT rules. Can I stack the metal head gaskets to get back under the legal limit?
    Thanks, MM
    Mike Ogren , FWDracingguide.com, 352.4288.983 ,http://www.ogren-engineering.com/

  2. #2
    Join Date
    Mar 2001
    Location
    Connecticut
    Posts
    7,381

    Default

    Read the rulez, newb...

    "Cylinder head gasket(s) may be replaced with any gasket(s) having the same compressed thickness as stock."

  3. #3
    Join Date
    Sep 2008
    Location
    FL.
    Posts
    1,384

    Default

    So, no provision to save all of these old race engines?
    Plus, nobody knows what the OE size was/ is.

    Maybe one of you insiders can write a letter to correct this oversight.
    Mike Ogren , FWDracingguide.com, 352.4288.983 ,http://www.ogren-engineering.com/

  4. #4
    Join Date
    Oct 2002
    Location
    newington, ct
    Posts
    4,182

    Default

    Maybe one of you insiders can write a letter to correct this oversight.
    If you want the rule changed and you're knowledgeable, why don't you write the letter??
    Dave Gran
    Real Roads, Real Car Guys – Real World Road Tests
    Go Ahead - Take the Wheel's Free Guide to Racing

  5. #5
    Join Date
    Feb 2001
    Location
    Trussville, Alabama, USA
    Posts
    1,087

    Default

    Note, some manufacturers, namely BMW, offer two thicknesses head gaskets. I think they are 2mm (stock) and 3mm, just for the purpose of lowering the compression ratio if the head is milled too far. I would think the rule was written to prevent thin gaskets to raise compression.
    Chuck Baader
    White EP BMW M-Techniq
    I may grow older, but I refuse to grow up!

  6. #6
    Join Date
    Oct 2002
    Location
    newington, ct
    Posts
    4,182

    Default

    What would make that a bad thing instill of milling the head?
    Dave Gran
    Real Roads, Real Car Guys – Real World Road Tests
    Go Ahead - Take the Wheel's Free Guide to Racing

  7. #7
    Join Date
    Jan 2004
    Location
    raymond NH
    Posts
    623

    Default

    My AS car had the heads milled too thin by "accident" we used 350 gaskets on the 305 to lower the limit, same compressed thickness different bore. The fire ring was .250 larger on the 350. Brought it from 11.0-1 down to a paltry 10.3 ish. got below the limit though.

    Not saying its right, just that its an option. There must be a larger bore gasket for a VW out there with the same block?????
    All posts are made by a fat old guy with a crappy old car that isnt supported by a factory anymore and therefore should not be taken seriously, EVER

    We buy our tires at WalMart 205/50-15 NT-01 $148.00 last all season and go faster as they wear out........

    Driver Skills Development, 7's Racing Skunk Works
    it7racing.com

  8. #8
    Join Date
    Mar 2001
    Location
    Connecticut
    Posts
    7,381

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by Flyinglizard View Post
    Maybe one of you insiders can write a letter to correct this oversight.
    "Oversight"?? For four decades...?

    See, I told you guys: allow removal of washer bottles and suddenly everyone wants their own pet peeve 40-year-old reg changed.

    I told you, I told you, I told you...

  9. #9
    Join Date
    Oct 2003
    Location
    Greensboro, NC
    Posts
    517

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by Greg Amy View Post
    "Oversight"?? For four decades...?

    See, I told you guys: allow removal of washer bottles and suddenly everyone wants their own pet peeve 40-year-old reg changed.

    I told you, I told you, I told you...

    Actually, before they did away with the washer bottle rule they did away with the VIN and sub model rule (the one that now lets you make an Si out of a DX). So if you REALLY want to talk up told you so's...:026:
    hoop
    Greensboro, NC
    STL Newbie

  10. #10
    Join Date
    Mar 2001
    Location
    Connecticut
    Posts
    7,381

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by iambhooper View Post
    Actually, before they did away with the washer bottle rule they did away with the VIN and sub model rule...
    Holy crap...YOU'RE RIGHT! I *TOTALLY* missed that!

    So it WASN'T the washer bottle...that...was just a diversion! Dammit those guys are smart...

  11. #11
    Join Date
    Oct 2003
    Location
    Greensboro, NC
    Posts
    517

    Default

    That one was kind of ridunkulous anyway. What really seperates a 4 cylinder fiero from a v6? 1 transmission and 1 motor, other than that everything is interchangeable, so it made no sense to keep a guy from building a perfectly fine ITA car out of a tub that came with an iron duke.
    hoop
    Greensboro, NC
    STL Newbie

  12. #12
    Join Date
    Sep 2008
    Location
    FL.
    Posts
    1,384

    Default

    The 305 AS with 350 gaskets is should not be legal. The bigger bore gaskets may unshroud the valves a bit and increase low lit flow.

    I have the customer that wants to make sure that his engine is under the limit . I advised that i expect it to be over by around 1.0 compression value. Stacked MLS gaskets can reduce that value to the legal limit.

    I will have him send a letter and just put this together as is , as it has been run for 15 yrs.
    If somebody on the board can respond with a valid answer ,it would be nice.
    Thanks, MM
    Mike Ogren , FWDracingguide.com, 352.4288.983 ,http://www.ogren-engineering.com/

  13. #13
    Join Date
    Oct 2005
    Location
    In the green Honda
    Posts
    449

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by Flyinglizard View Post
    The 305 AS with 350 gaskets is should not be legal. The bigger bore gaskets may unshroud the valves a bit and increase low lit flow.

    I have the customer that wants to make sure that his engine is under the limit . I advised that i expect it to be over by around 1.0 compression value. Stacked MLS gaskets can reduce that value to the legal limit.

    I will have him send a letter and just put this together as is , as it has been run for 15 yrs.
    If somebody on the board can respond with a valid answer ,it would be nice.
    Thanks, MM
    Clarify: Does the customer want to be under the limit or does the customer want to be legal?

    To be under the limit, then go ahead and stack the gaskets and move on.

    To be legal, you (or the customer) have to write a letter. It seems like a reasonable request is to have the wording changed to "Cylinder head gasket(s) may be replaced with any gasket(s) having at least the same total compressed thickness as stock."

    Keeping in mind that someone may argue that milling the head down and then increasing the gasket thickness would be an advantage on some car(s) and therefore shouldn't be allowed. In which case it could be rejected. And then the answer to be legal is "new head". If this is the result then please do not come back here and whine about SCCA.
    Jim Hardesty
    ITC 1986 Honda Civic Diablo Rojo Verde
    Never argue your tab at the end of the night. Remember, you're hammered and they’re sober.

  14. #14
    Join Date
    Jan 2001
    Location
    Flagtown, NJ USA
    Posts
    6,334

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by jumbojimbo View Post
    Clarify: Does the customer want to be under the limit or does the customer want to be legal?

    To be under the limit, then go ahead and stack the gaskets and move on.

    To be legal, you (or the customer) have to write a letter. It seems like a reasonable request is to have the wording changed to "Cylinder head gasket(s) may be replaced with any gasket(s) having at least the same total compressed thickness as stock."

    Keeping in mind that someone may argue that milling the head down and then increasing the gasket thickness would be an advantage on some car(s) and therefore shouldn't be allowed. In which case it could be rejected. And then the answer to be legal is "new head". If this is the result then please do not come back here and whine about SCCA.
    No more calls please, we have a winner.

  15. #15
    Join Date
    Sep 2008
    Location
    FL.
    Posts
    1,384

    Default

    ¨ It seems like a reasonable request is to have the wording changed to "Cylinder head gasket(s) may be replaced with any gasket(s) having at least the same total compressed thickness as stock."
    Should include less than .100 total so as to keep my angle milled head shim out of play. Stacked stock style gaskets should be allowed for any car 20yrs or older.
    Mike Ogren , FWDracingguide.com, 352.4288.983 ,http://www.ogren-engineering.com/

  16. #16
    Join Date
    Mar 2001
    Location
    Connecticut
    Posts
    7,381

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by Flyinglizard View Post
    ¨ It seems like a reasonable request is to have the wording changed to "Cylinder head gasket(s) may be replaced with any gasket(s) having at least the same total compressed thickness as stock."
    That's a rule change, and a change in the basic philosophy of the class. Regardless of if/when the request is submitted, note that it cannot be approved prior to the 2015 racing season.

    No one else is interested in the idea. If you want it, write your letter to the CRB and it will be considered.

    GA

Bookmarks

Bookmarks

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •