corteco v victor v fel-pro

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I know this has been hashed to death, but my search only turned up confusing info. Finally going to bite the bullet on a cam and need to pick the best head gsket. In this case, best means a ratio of reliability and compression. AM I CORRECT IN THE FOLLOWING?

Crush thickness:

Victor .45
Fel-Pro.48
Corteco .53

If so, is the victor reliable, and where can I get one. Presently I have the Fel-pro, and that's what was installed when I first took my head off. It's a heck of a gasket and has proven 100% reliable.
 
I am a fan of the Fel Pro Print-O-Seal head gaskets.

The Corteco's also apaprently have a very good reputation.

Only used Victor on Ford 2.3L OHC's and never had a problem with them.

And you will still probably need to surface head a bit either way to bring compression back up.
 
I have used the Fel-Pro gaskets for years with no problems. However, from working with friends, they use the other brands with no issues, either.

Use whichever is cheapest.
 
Can't really take the head down any more: It's presently 51.5cc and the machinist wanted to leave enough for one last milling, should warpage occurr at some point. I have a lot of money in this head. Just trying to maximize compression every way possible, and since I'm not doing any machine work, just swapping a cam, the only thing left is getting the thinnest gasket.
 
You could talk to Mike about getting a thin copper head gasket then get the head cut for O-rings.

If for some reason Mike cant do it then find a shop that can water cut or laser cut and take them a head gasket. They should be able to scan it and you should be able to get a head gasket cut very easily.

You need to check deck height, dish size, factor in 51.5cc and figure out what compression ratio you want.

Im guesstimating a .025" gasket should put you around 9.0:1 to 9.2:1 CR. And with O-ringing and copper head gasket it may be awhile before you have to replace it.
 
Howdy back FF and All:

Except for a missing zero, the compressed thickness' are very close to the advertized compressed thickness from each of the gasket manufactures. Here is the data we found.
Victor .044"
Fel-Pro.050"
Corteco .053"

I have yet to see a Corteco, so have no comment on it. Mike was working with them to come up with a thinner version for us. I haven't heard anything in a while about that happening. It may be time to raise the cry again. A .035" compressed thickness head gasket the quality of Victor or FelPro would be a Godsend in our quest for a better quench effect.

We've used both Victor and FelPro. Both seal much better then the stock, shim type, OEM head gaskets. FelPro gaskets are available at most machine shops and many parts outlets. Victor used to be marketed exclusively by NAPA, but are now more broadly available. Corteco are available through Mike. Check around for prices and availability. It is more cost efficient to by the head gasket in a gasket kit for a valve job.

Part #s are-
Victor - 3910VC
Fel-Pro-7916 PT-1
Corteco-20336-CS from Classic Inline

You might also want to put out a shout for a NOS FoMoCo replacement gasket Part # C9DE 6051 C. They are an early composite type, but only .035" compressed thickness. They appear to be a steel shim sandwiched between a top and bottom layer of a fabric type material. They require a gasket sealer to get them to seal well.

In your case going from a FelPro to a Victor will gain a little in CR an still do a good job of sealing. Have you run the numbers on our Compression Calculator?

Let us know which way you go and how it works out for you.

Adios, David
 
I like the victor because of the thinner compressed thickness & i have had better sealing ability on the left side of the engine.

After a while all the gaskets seep there, but the victor seems to hold the best.

The victor is available at carquest stores. Bill
 
Thanks for the data guys. Yes, according to my calculations I'm at about 8.7:1 with the Fel-Pro. This is with 51.5cc chambers as opposed to the 55cc chambers that where on the engine originally. Adding the 264/274 dual pattern camshaft and hoping to pick up a wee bit of compression while I'm at it. I'm sure I'll be more than happy staying with Fel-Pro, but if Victor will allow me a touch more, then might as well do it.
 
Turns out there is a Carquest one mile from my house with Victor gaskets for $40. Yipee!

Can I install this dry, like the Fel-Pro, or do I need some kind of sealant?
 
No sealer needed, just prep the head & block surface & clean with lacquer thinner before installing head. Bill
 
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