Cylinder base gaskets - some advice please

[MT]

Morning all,

I am rebuilding a stock 2.2T 911 engine and have hit an unexpected parts supply problem and would like some advice.

I am setting the deck height and because the cylinder flanges were fly-cut I need a little more than the standard 0.25mm copper base gasket - my measurement to date suggests 0.75mm. I ordered a set of 0.5mm gaskets from Reading OPC and planned to add one of them and a 0.25mm, however when they arrived despite having the correct part no. (and label of 0.5mm) on the bag, all were 0.25mm. I called them and they checked all their stock and it's all 0.25mm - as it seems is most other OPC stock - they are checking around and reverting to Germany, but it is a slow process and they now suggest it might be another 1-2 weeks before this is sorted.

So to my questions:

1. Does anyone know of any other source or have 6 x 0.5mm you could sell me?
2. One option is clearly to add 3 x 0.25mm. Any views/experience with this multiple gasket approach?

Clearly if 3 x 0.25mm is fine, then Q.1 is moot as I have plenty of 0.25mm gaskets.

Regards
Mick.

I have also pm'd Mike B directly with the same question - hope you don't mind the 'double-post' strategy Mike.

[haasad]

Just been through this on a motor I'm building. I too organsised a set of 0.5 mm and haven't measured them as they are not fitted yet ( note to self to do that). Lots of folks do stack the base gaskets but I dislike the approach due to the number of potentail leak paths it introduces and that doing so increases the risk of uneven compression of the stack when the studs are torqued.
I'm sure theres a small market for these gaskests in 0.25 increments up to 1mm.
Personally I'd wait for the 0.5 mm ones to come to stock or ask around for 6 someone may have .

[fetuhoe]

Both Steve Weiner at Rennsport and Henry at Supertec advise no more than 2 seals on moderately driven road engines and only one on performance or modified engines.

Curil-T is recommended between seals.

We have a local precision water jet cutting that makes shims without burrs, they wouldn't be too difficult to make.

[MT]

Thanks Andy/Chris,

You advice is what I anticipated.
Chris would you mind pm-ing me with an approximate cost and timing to make 6 x 0.75mm copper gaskets - 93mm ID 103mm OD IIRC.
I will test again with 3 x 0.25mm on both sides tomorrow to be sure this is what I need.

Thanks

Mick