Packard Forum Index » V-8 (1955-56)

I am wanting to replace the headgaskets in my '352 before I drop it back in.

Who is the best manufacturer to look for? I see some on ebay, but worry that they might be substandard.

Any ideas are appreciated!

I purchased mine on ebay 3 1/2 years ago, no problems yet. It was the "Best Gasket" sold by various sellers. I purchased the full set but see you can get just the head gaskets.

You could check with Olsons Gaskets for a NOS.

The only new head gaskets available are the composition version from Best. They work fine.

I've got a shelf full of the original steel shim gaskets and they also work fine.

If anyone needs the steel shim gaskets, let me know. The first on-line place I checked wants $65 a pair. I'll go half that, $32.50. In fact, if you find a lower price, I'll go half that, as long as supply lasts.

BTW, anyone building a big bore 374", I've got the world's only known supply of 4.250" bore gaskets.

jack vines

Jack, a couple of years ago when I rebuilt my 374 I ordered my gasket set from max merritt. It not only has metal head gaskets but also metal intake manifold gaskets. Are you sure Max no longer has the metal?

Quote:

Sorry I wasn't crystal-clear. Yes, some vendors would still have old stock 352" steel shim gaskets on the shelves. As I stated, I've got several old stock myself.

What I meant to be understood was AFAIK the only new production gaskets are the Best composition. The steel shim aren't in current production, but I'm willing to be corrected if someone has a link to the manufacturer.

jack vines

several years ago I used composite head gaskets on a 56 clipper 352. I was careful to torque them to specs and after a couple of hundred miles I re-torqued them again.
At about 500 miles, the passenger side blew out. Maybe it was bad luck but I replaced both gaskets with metal and have no problem since. I will not use composite again.

Personally, I prefer the steel shim gaskets, but they require careful installation.

I mill the surfaces of both the heads and the block decks, tap all head bolt holes, used hardened washers under the head bolts and spray the gaskets with CopperCoat.

The composite gaskets from Best are more idiot-proof and if retorqued once after a few heat cycles, I've had no problems using them.

They also slightly lower the compression ratio; not a bad thing on '56s using today's gas.

jack vines