Had this ever been an option?

I don't have an extremely extentisive knoweldge of automotive history but I have never heard of a head gasket that was any more than 1/16th" thick.

.02

Where have you heard this was possible so I can check it out?



------------------
Robert Martin
Horn broke. Watch for finger!
Stealth '00 Toreador Red SE Wagon
Autolite Double Plats; 180° Thermo; Ford Racing Wires; Turbo muffler w/o a resonator; 500Watts pushing 10's; Stock euro side markers

 

Do you really want to tear the head off just to replace a head gasket? I think for the cost/involvement of that you could find other ways to improve your horsepower.

The HP increase wouldn't be that much, as far as I can guess.

oh, and a thinner head gasket would most likely be weaker anyway. Switch to higher compression pistons and a REALLY good, ringed, gasket.

hmm.. that's about .05 cents worth I think.

steve...

 

I'm with Steve.

Mow, you might be able to deck it a bit (decking is the process of shaving off a few hundredths of an inch off the head or block, usually the head, to reduce the combustion chambers' size) and go with a better head gasket (O Rings baby!) and stuff, if you don't feel like piston swapping.

On a side note, running a thinner gasket, or decking your engine, or using higer compression pistons, you are increasing the risk of valve/piston interference. If your timing belt breaks, you could be in for some expensive repairs, including replacing valves and pistons, possibly permanently damaging your head, and maybe even having broken metal pieces score the cylinder walls.

Worst case scenario: You'd need new pistons, valves, head, and block... oh wait... a new engine would be cheaper than fixing one that's effed up like that!

On top of all that trouble, your gains would be very low for the pain and suffering that it would take to do this.

I'd consider higher compression to be the second to last modification for someone looking for more ponies out of a naturally aspirated engine, second only to boring and stroking the engine for higher displacement.

If you have a stock Zetec that's been upped to... 10.0:1 or something, I'd bet it wouldn't put out much more power (if as much power!) than a stock Zetec with a good intake and exhaust...

 

you can get custom gaskets, even copper made ones! you would need to change the timing. That alone is an arm and a leg in work. You drive a focus, not a winston cup car.. lol.

But yes, paeco will do them for you, that is if you know what your doing!

 

HKS used to (probably still does) make ultra thin copper gaskets for some stuff. (I'd bet a nickel that the focus ain't one of them...) I heard ( my japanese is pretty poor) that it will alter the CR about a half point (?) but there was something else about it that made it "good". Something about thermal dynamics, so I stopped trying to understand/interperit. Also, I believe some sanctioning bodies require stock pistons and no headwork, but allow replacement head gaskets. I agree with some of the others, that while I'm certain it is POSSIBLE, it probably isn't worth the effort unless you're rebuilding the engine anyhow.
my pair of pennies.
Tommy


------------------
I tried drag racing, but I kept missing the apex to turn 2...