Making a composite valley gasket for Serp Chimaera

[TVROZ]

Due to the heads having been skimmed the normal composite valley gasket no longer fits properly and has the added issue of the rubber ends having to be replaced by sealant. Rather than try to elongate the gasket port holes I would like to make one that fits. Question is what gasket sheets are available to do this? Something like one of the Fel-Pro variants maybe? Thanks

[Belle427]

With the rubber end bits removed will it then fit?
Its what i did with different heads and is an acceptable method, you dont need much sealant.

[TVROZ]

Belle427 said:

With the rubber end bits removed will it then fit?
Its what i did with different heads and is an acceptable method, you dont need much sealant.

It did fit but had to use a fair bit of sealant which I would prefer not to have to do. Making a gasket would certainly be easier than using thicker head gaskets to return it to the normal height.

[PabloGee]

How much was taken off with the skimming of the heads?

Mine has the tin gaskets, which are fine at the moment, but the time will no doubt come along, and I'll probably look to get the heads skimmed...

[Sardonicus]

Using RTV style sealants for the China walls/rails has been a Chevy/Ford fix for years when swapping block and head combos , I also do this due to the block deck heights of of my RV8 being a fair bit less , port alignment was achieved by abrasive cartridge rolls and a die grinder and OE/Unipart composite gasket , time consuming yes but doable , hope this helps

Edited by Sardonicus on Thursday 11th January 19:49

[TVROZ]

PabloGee said:

How much was taken off with the skimming of the heads?

Mine has the tin gaskets, which are fine at the moment, but the time will no doubt come along, and I'll probably look to get the heads skimmed...

Not sure as I bought them as stage 3 "O/S" valve replacements and the supplier was vague with details. Should have measured and compared them then but didn't.

If you know how much is skimmed off you can get thicker head gaskets to compensate. Presumably that would maintain your compression ratio too and enable the valley gasket to still fit.

[TVROZ]

Sardonicus said:

Using RTV style sealants for the China walls/rails has been a Chevy/Ford fix for years when swapping block and head combos , I also do this due to the block deck heights of of my RV8 being a fair bit less , port alignment was achieved by abrasive cartridge rolls and a die grinder and OE/Unipart composite gasket , time consuming yes but doable , hope this helps

Edited by Sardonicus on Thursday 11th January 19:49

Thanks for the info. At this stage I am trying to determine what composite and gasket sheet material I can use to make my own valley gasket. It obviously needs a certain amount of stiffness to maintain its shape but also be flexible enough to curve into the valley. Easy to cut would also be good and of course suitable for high temp and resistent to oil/coolant etc.

[Belle427]

Just search for composite gasket material but your over thinking this, no offence intended.

[TVROZ]

Belle427 said:

Just search for composite gasket material but your over thinking this, no offence intended.

None taken. It is the price I pay for being a perfectionist.

[Belle427]

Good luck with it anyway, wont be easy though!