So I have blown three head gaskets all between cyl 2-3

golden eagle 2000 miles on engine. Caused by fuel additive.
Cometic, 25,000, likely caused by lean condition over time.

Switched to colder plugs and brought a/f to 12.5 from 14

3rd one blew after one summer of hard driving, weekend/track use, before it was not drivin as hard. 30,000 on it now.
Cosmetic .026

Can anyone recommend a better brand headgasket?

89 bore, 11.5:1, crower stg3 cam

 

Most likely it's not the head gaskets that are the issue for your particular problem.
You may want to start fresh with both surfaces being re-finished, new head studs and possibly copper "O" ringed cylinders. A good tune as well goes a long way. "Why empty bank account, Race car"

 

Ya i know it's not the gaskets that r the problem, I was just looking for maybe a better one just to band aid the problem till I do a full rebuild. But cutting is a good idea I am just worried about p2v clearance... It's real tight.

And yes.... Because race car bank account is empty= cannot rebuild right now.

 

Check out SCE gaskets; they make the "ICS Titan" which is supposed to have a similar effect to o-ringing your block and I think they make oversized ones since you are an oversized bore.

 

Thanks for the info, seems they only make the Titan gasket, copper gasket with silicone around coolant and oil ports, and a basic copper gasket. Both only in 88.9 mm bore.

Anyone have experience with copper gaskets? Leak like a bitch or what?

 

Your p2v cant be that tight. Ive got a much more radical motor and i still have a lot of room p2v after meauring v2v and claying the pistons.

Have the head and block deck been surfaced before?

If its broken this wont work but try the head gasket fix at autozone. We were forced to use it at the shop one day and it took care of the minor issue with the head surface.

 

Ya the motor was completely rebuilt about 30k ago, both surfaces were cut. What is this "headgasket fix" at autozone? I don't like the sounds of it for a race engine

 

We used it on a 900rwhp truck. Its in an orange bottle. That was three years ago. Cant remember the exact name

Even still, the surfaces would have had to been cut pretty seriously for your p2v to be close. Do you have adjustable gears? Did you clay the pistons? Measure valve to valve?

This all does not pertain to your hg issue but whatever

 

Ya I have clayey the pistons, didn't measure to get exact spec but it was close, yesihave adj cam gears

 

So whats the real issue here... Sinking sleeves? Too much ignition advance/cylinder pressure? I would focus on the real problem, no reason for any of those metal gaskets to blow out.