Engine/Transmission (1994 - 1998) Head gasket thickness question?

[CumminsPower98]

I'm having a head shaved and need to know if I need to order a thicker gasket or or standard. The machinist says it makes no difference since the head is flat but what about the valves? I need to know pretty soon so I can order.



Thanks,

Mark

 

[83 crew cab]

Mark you machinist is right the thicker head gasked is made by cummins to make up for when you true up the block so the pistions do not hit the heads

George

 

[JJW_ND]

Zero difference or thicker!

From what I have read and found, you want to use a gasket that gets you back to the same height or use slightly thicker. Not sure thinner would be good.



I ended up with a . 010 thicker differnce on my truck and it definetly creates more white smoke when cold.



Alot changes with gasket thickness. Injector position, compression... .



jjw

ND

 

[83 crew cab]

jjw



the head is flat exept for right around the valve so you might lose 3or 4 cc if you cut the head . 010 if you put a . 010 oversize head gasket then your going to loose compression you make up for the injector postion with the injector shims

 

[CumminsPower98]

Well thanks for all the input guys, I went ahead and ordered a standard head set, and hope all goes well. I will then space the injectors according to how much they took off the head, which I'm not sure on yet. WOW, be very afraid of the prices for thicker head gaskets. I was quoted a price of $420 just for an over size head set.

 

[Joseph Donnelly]

The pistons protrude from the block about . 025". You can decrease compression about 0. 57 points per . 010 gasket thickness. The valves are sunk about . 055 so compression changes if the head is surfaced. The thicker gasket is not only for block decking compensation. If the change is too much, valves might hit the pistons.