69 Gaskets - Replacing Heads

[Guest]

I am putting the correct 3927186 heads on my wife's 69 350-350 engine. What are the best gaskets to use for performance and low point deductions? Also, what is the best manual to use for the correct procedure to install the heads?

Thanks,
Allen Nichols

[Joe L.]

Re: 69 Gaskets - Replacing Heads

Allen-----

There is no gasket which meets BOTH of your criteria. From the standpoint of best sealing and durability in a high performace gasket, I recommend the Fel-Pro #1004 which is also available under GM #12363763. This is an expensive gasket----about $50 EACH. It's the only one I use.

For "correctness" you need a steel shim gasket as the factory originally used. Some of the corners of the installed gasket are visible. For this you need gasket GM #3830711. Your block deck and cylinder head surfaces must be absolutely "flat and true" to use this gasket. I NEVER use this one.

The choice is yours.

Best manual for installing heads: a Chevrolet Chassis Service or Overhaul Manual.

[Joe L.]

Addendum

I just checked and the GM #3830711 gasket is discontinued. However, you can obtain a similar gasket (if you want one) from aftermarket sources like Victor-Reinz or Fel-Pro's standard gasket line.

[Patrick H.]

Re: 69 Gaskets - Replacing Heads

Along this line, the best alternative is to buy the whole Fel-Pro Performance gasket set. It's about $130 or so from Summit, and then you get the intake gaskets, too, as well as all the others. To be really anal retentive you could try and cut the new intake gaskets to "appear" the same shape as the originals. Or you could just paint them orange and forget it.

Patrick