Cometic gaskets for iron W-2's

Robert Kane · Post by **Robert Kane** » Thu May 19, 2005 10:40 pm

What gasket should I be using with cast iron W-2's and 13.1 :1 ? Can I use ones for a "eighteen bolt" head and block?
Robert

Robert Kane · Post by **Robert Kane** » Sat May 21, 2005 1:41 pm

anyone?

la360 · Post by **la360** » Sun May 22, 2005 4:01 am

I am not entirely sure as to what the exact differences are between the std style, and R3 style Cometic head gaskets, other than the additional head bolt holes. From what I understand, there seems to be s hortage of supply of Cometic head gaskets, try calling Bill Richardson at RAM, or Ryan Johnson at www.shadydellspeedshop.com
IHTH's
AL...

RyanJ · Post by **RyanJ** » Thu May 26, 2005 11:08 pm

W2 head does not require any special head gasket. The R3 Chrysler race block does however. There is a water passage variation in those blocks near the lifter valley. Cometic makes a special gasket for the R3's with revised water passages. They call it a R3 W2 gasket when it is in 10 bolt form. If you are just using an LA block, you can just use a standard Cometic 10 bolt head gasket, even with a W2 head. The R3 gasket can also be used on an LA block. But you can't use the LA version on an R3.... confused yet?

RAM is out of 10 bolt .040 stuff except real small bore (4.04") I just talked to Bill today. He does have some oddball stuff like .027's. Evernham has the R3 W2 stuff in 4.10" X .040" on the shelf. I ordered a set this afternoon that will be going on an Edelbrock head 340. Cometic is about 4-6 week lead time right now, so everyone is being forced to find stuff on shelves to use.