sbc head gaskets

do shim steel head gaskets raise compression and what should they be coated with.......anybody use them ??? thanks in advance for the advice....charlie

 

The do raise compression a bit as compared to a composition gasket. Some guys sprayed on copper paint or used copper coat gasket sealer but I'm sure you will get a few odd potions for getting them to seal offered up.

 

If you could measure a difference in performance, I'd be surprised.

 

G'day, I have seen a product for steel shim gaskets that is a copper/shellac compound that you brush on. If I remeber correctly I think it is Indian Head. I've seen it at Advance Auto parts.

 

different opinions on this, I either put em on dry or spray em with silver paint front and back. Got two sbc's been running over 10 yrs each with shim steel gskts. Block deck and cyl head need to be exactly flat to run em. Oh, and no nitrous.........you know, that new stuff that makes engines really fast!