Very nice Observation Ken:thumb:


You guys surprise us with your knowledge every day:nod:

Well not really surprise anymore as we all know you guys are the best:woot

 

now that is cool info

 

I made a post not too long ago asking this. Also glad you posted, reminds me that I need to call John and see if you got my oil cooler back yet. So thanks twice

 

I wonder if the company even gives a fvck about their defective gaskets..

 

Valid question. Especially since its unlike DANA to put out a crap product

 

Great post, Ken. So if I'm reading this correctly, the total difference between the two is only .005 and the fire ring fold is .004 with the Ford OE being thicker, which I am assuming your point is that it would allow a more forgiving sealing surface.

 

Correct and I think the thickness of the "fire ring" is important also. The thicker the "fire ring", the more clamping force is applied at that location.

 

Absolutely fantastic to get this detailed assessment.

Past posts were pretty clear that there was a thickness difference, but to know "where and why" is certainly appreciated more than can be expressed!

 

They do appear nicer or better since they have more sealing compounds than the oem buti guess that's not gonna cut it

 

Way to go Ken, great information!

 

I think they fail because Victor Reinz = ****t

interesting info though!!

 

can anyone answer this question for certainty? Are VT365 headgaskets identical in thickness to what we get from Ford?

Someone (another diesel tech) told me that the medium duty truck gaskets are thinner to increase compression and low end power.

 

Thanks for the great information Ken.

I would venture to guess that the extra thickness could compensate for a very little bit of surface variance as well.

 

Thanks for this piece of information.

Sinner6.0L brings up a valid question about the International version of these gaskets, if someone has the specs on those we can get posted I'd appreciate it.

 

The following I cut and pasted from an advertisement on the internet which sold me on VRBO gaskets. Being new to the ORG at the time and not aware of all the failures with the VR gaskets I subsequently purchased them in a bundle along with the ARP studs. Being held up by a shoulder injury and unable to start the project I had lots of time to read and for my own piece of mind it was a godsend because I eneded up bighting the bullet and purchasing OEM head gaskets as well. Just the extra .004 on the fire ring makes the statement below suspicious, so do they exceed factory specs of the OEM gaskets? JMHO take it for what it worth!!!:dunno: For all the real believers in VR gaskets I have them if you wanna buy em :wink[3]:



These kits include the Black Onyx gaskets. They are made by a major automotive aftermarket manufacturer and they exceed factory specs. We have been installing these gaskets for several years with and they work great!

 

That is some great information. I'm glad that I went with OEM gaskets.

 

There is nothing wrong with the BO gaskets if you prep for them ( shave pistons to lower compression ) , what people don't realize is they are thinner than the factory gaskets and there for raise compression and that's why they don't last as long.

 

Sorry, but i gotta call BS on raising the compression! I been racing and building engines for 20yrs. .005" does not raise the compression enough to make any difference on any engine. Take a burette, fill it with trans fluid and check the cc (volume) with the OEM gaskets, then with the BO gaskets, i bet you there is no difference in cc volume, therefore there is no difference in Compression, becasue the voulmes are the same.
You could go an shave the pistons if you want:wink[3]:, but i would rather buy the OEM gaskets.

 

shaving pistons sounds like a convenient step in a head gasket job

 

Didn't say it was, just stating that's what it would take to run them reliably for a long period of time. Racers use the BO all the time but they have also lowered their compression. Its not the gasket I would go with just letting people know its not the compound or material that makes them fail, its the fact that they are thinner and raise your compression so more cylinder pressure equals more likelihoods of blowing the HG's.

 

The thickness difference is less than the .008" that you can deck the heads. I doubt very seriously if the BO are blowing because of the huge difference in cylinder pressure that they are causing. (sacrcasm intended)

Racers lower compression so they can increase turbo pressure not to accomodate the head gaskets. That's just ludicrous.

There are tons of different head gaskets on the market for various engines. They are commonly used to help set proper PTV clearance. They will not make a big difference in the compression on the motor. Some difference yes, but not a big difference. You will get more of a cylinder pressure change by dropping the temperature 30*.

 

Like I said you don't have to believe it but it's what I have found to be the reason. To each there own run them don't run them I could care less. And I didn't say thats the only reason racer's drop their compression but it is one of them. Same applies to using copper HG's gaskets too, try running those without dropping compression.

 

shaving pistons on a diesel? are you kidding me?

 

LOL, you say it like its never been done. Other than buying custom pistons how would you lower the compression? Hold on let me throw this shocker to ya, people cut the lip out of the piston bowls too. Oh noozz.....

 

Can't we stack head gaskets to "lower compression ratio"









yes, I had too....................

 

I was told by one of the mechnics at a diesel shop North of town if they remove anymore than .005 they remove the difference off the top of the valve stems to aviod slapping pistons with valves. So if they had to take off .007 off the head they'd remove
.002 off the top of the valve stems and so on. Never mentioned shaving pistons.

 

LOL ............... Why did Ford keep selling trucks w/ head bolts???

Because they CAN be reliable (for awhile) under the right (perfect) circumstances. Also, they are cheaper.

The best head gaskets are the OEM (thanks for all the measuring DieselFab), and that is why people get the head/gasket/stud work done - to get the best and add power!