Head gasket change questions

[94gtfreak]

Ok, as some may have already noticed I popped a head gasket about a week ago and now goes time to fix it! YAY! Here's my question....Do I need to purchase a gasket kit such as this one from CJ Pony Parts ENGINE GASKET SET Hi-Performance 1 no. fits 289 302 351W 1963-1997 - CJ Pony Parts, Inc.

OR....should I just order a set of head gaskets, upper and lower intake gaskets, thermostat housing gasket, and valve cover gaskets? I really need to go the cheapest way possible on this without totally skimpin on the head gaskets.

Thanks again!

 

[revhead347]

I think it's cheaper to buy the gaskets individually. Just get standard Felpro gaskets for the heads, and a standard lower set. You actually can leave the thermostat housing on and pull the intake off. Get the rubber gaskets for the valve covers, not the cork. Felpro technically doesn't make a rubber valve cover gasket for our cars, so you have to ask the parts guy for a valve cover gasket for like an 85' Ford 302. Crown Vic, whatever, doesn't matter. The only difference is that the the rubber ones have those nubbies on them to clip into a stamped valve cover. You can twist off or cut off the nubbies and it's the same gasket, only in rubber, which seals much better. I think it's a VS13264R part number.

Kurt

 

[94gtfreak]

Thanks man!

 

[SableSal]

I personally would do the entire set. But that's just me. It definetely gives you a good advantage to get everything sealed up before putting it all back together. Just my thoughts...

 

[Cobra912]

I'm pretty sure that's the set I bought to build my 331. It has the Fel-Pro 9333PT-1 head gaskets. Excellent. After a ton of track abuse and boost they are still holding with head bolts. My builder uses them on 9 sec turbo cars. Everything you will need will be in that kit.

 

[Cobra912]

I think it's cheaper to buy the gaskets individually. Just get standard Felpro gaskets for the heads, and a standard lower set. You actually can leave the thermostat housing on and pull the intake off. Get the rubber gaskets for the valve covers, not the cork. Felpro technically doesn't make a rubber valve cover gasket for our cars, so you have to ask the parts guy for a valve cover gasket for like an 85' Ford 302. Crown Vic, whatever, doesn't matter. The only difference is that the the rubber ones have those nubbies on them to clip into a stamped valve cover. You can twist off or cut off the nubbies and it's the same gasket, only in rubber, which seals much better. I think it's a VS13264R part number.

Kurt

and yes once you buy the kit you'll wanna ditch the cork for the rubber ones from Fel-Pro. Mine haven't leaked at all.