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Bruce Mills
Bruce Mills
Vancouver Canada
(71 posts)

Registered:
11/28/2007 09:31PM

Main British Car:
1974.5 MGB Roadster 3.5 Rover

authors avatar
Rover 3.5 Head Gaskets
Posted by: Bruce Mills
Date: February 04, 2009 01:31AM

Hi All

Well nothing is simple any more. I find myself needing new head gaskets for my 3.5. And suddenly I am faced with overwhelming choices.
Man, all I want is a head gasket.
Do I go composite (what is composite) or embossed? (what is embossed)?

Apparently the composite is .040 and the embossed is .016.

Is the idea to go with the smaller gasket so the fuel is compressed more?

Bruce


relative4
Billy Andrews
Denver, CO
(55 posts)

Registered:
11/25/2008 02:28PM

Main British Car:
'80 MGB Rover 3.5

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Re: Rover 3.5 Head Gaskets
Posted by: relative4
Date: February 04, 2009 08:17AM

I'm no expert on this subject, but I just spoke with Glen Towery on this very subject yesterday, and he said to go with the steel (embossed?) gaskets, for the very reason you suggested - increased compression. He said the horsepower difference is substantial.


MGBV8
Carl Floyd
Kingsport, TN
(4511 posts)

Registered:
10/23/2007 11:32PM

Main British Car:
1979 MGB Buick 215

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Re: Rover 3.5 Head Gaskets
Posted by: MGBV8
Date: February 04, 2009 09:10PM

Hmmm, with half a point of compression?


Bruce Mills
Bruce Mills
Vancouver Canada
(71 posts)

Registered:
11/28/2007 09:31PM

Main British Car:
1974.5 MGB Roadster 3.5 Rover

authors avatar
Re: Rover 3.5 Head Gaskets
Posted by: Bruce Mills
Date: February 04, 2009 09:25PM

I gave D&D a call and ended up with the embossed one.


V8Tech
Shaun O'Donnell

(19 posts)

Registered:
01/12/2009 11:37AM

Main British Car:


Re: Rover 3.5 Head Gaskets
Posted by: V8Tech
Date: February 09, 2009 09:14AM

Hi Bruce, It really depends on the engine configuration. If you have a "P6" type (pre 77) then you will probably have a high compression 10.5:1 motor ... if it is after that it could be low comp (8.5:1) or standard comp (9.35:1) if it is a vitesse engine ... the bottom line is that a 9.35:1 SD1 late engine runs a swept volume of 441.51cc and the difference in gasket thickness (going from shim tin to composite) would reduce the compression to 8.5:1. I personally would not suggest goint that low unless you intend to run very poor fuel or a blower of some sort .. the RV8 just doesn't like running at compressions that low naturally aspirated .. they get very "soggy". If I were in your position I would check the cc's in the block and the head to make sure before fitting ... I hope I am not too late!!! :)

Shaun


Bruce Mills
Bruce Mills
Vancouver Canada
(71 posts)

Registered:
11/28/2007 09:31PM

Main British Car:
1974.5 MGB Roadster 3.5 Rover

authors avatar
Re: Rover 3.5 Head Gaskets
Posted by: Bruce Mills
Date: February 09, 2009 08:04PM

Thanks Shaun

I have a 69 Rover 10.5:1 compression


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