3.0 vulcan MLS head gaskets?

[Aaron Powell]

I'm getting ready to pull the heads in my 94 3.0 vulcan and replace an exhaust valve and lap all the others. From what I can see, it has MLS head gaskets, but I can't find them for this year. Will they work off of another year 3.0? I understand MLS is more for aluminum to cast and aluminum to aluminum, but I'd prefer MLS if I can get them.

 

[Aaron Powell]

I guess no one knows. I've been trying to compare them online, but to no avail am I finding one that seems to be a match. Google searches aren't turning anything up

 

[NIGERIAN RANGER]

Why not use the composite gasket types? Over here, if an engine has overheated severely, we don't use the MLG ones, but the composite type. This are my opinions though.

 

[Aaron Powell]

Why not use the composite gasket types? Over here, if an engine has overheated severely, we don't use the MLG ones, but the composite type. This are my opinions though.

It's just a preference of mine if I have the option

 

[NIGERIAN RANGER]

It's just a preference of mine if I have the option

You keep searching then, probably you'd get from rock autos

 

[Guanfy]

I haven't seen any floating around for the '94 3.0. My two cents would be to go composite with a nice set of Felpro. Without going down the rabbit hole composite gaskets are more tolerant of roughness so are more forgiving in sealing against a not mirror smooth surface. MLS are superior in sealing IF they are setup properly. They require very smooth mating surfaces. If you know all this and plan for it best of luck to you. I fixed some Subaru boxer motors of their head gasket issues doing exactly what you are trying to do now.

 

[NIGERIAN RANGER]

I haven't seen any floating around for the '94 3.0. My two cents would be to go composite with a nice set of Felpro. Without going down the rabbit hole composite gaskets are more tolerant of roughness so are more forgiving in sealing against a not mirror smooth surface. MLS are superior in sealing IF they are setup properly. They require very smooth mating surfaces. If you know all this and plan for it best of luck to you. I fixed some Subaru boxer motors of their head gasket issues doing exactly what you are trying to do now.

You're right with the composite suggestions too, but I hope the OP would even accept it, since he's still insisting on MLS type.
Hopefully, he'd get the one of his preferences.

 

[Aaron Powell]

I've just decided to settle for the
Composite head gaskets

 

[Dirtman]

WHAT!?! WHY!?!

 

[Ranger850]

WHAT!?! WHY!?!

Because NOBODY answered his question

 

[Dirtman]

That makes me a sad panda...

 

[RonD]

No need to use MLS(multi-layer-steel) head gasket on the 3.0l Vulcan, use composite gaskets

When car makers, or racers, started using aluminum heads on cast iron blocks the head gasket would fail after 20k-50k miles, even faster on racing engines with high ratios

Problem was the expansion rate of cast iron vs aluminum
Aluminum expands faster and 5 to 7 times more when heated than cast iron
So each time an engine was warmed up the composite head gasket was RUBBED as the aluminum expanded faster
So after enough drive cycles, warm up/cool down, the head gasket would rub thru and fail

MLS was used so aluminum head could SLIDE on the head gasket as it expanded, instead of RUB
But there was a problem with straight MLS gaskets, cooling system could leak in colder climates as aluminum shrunk down even more, lol, so not uncommon to have a COLD coolant leak between head and block
So MLS now has a bit of composite material

3.0l has cast iron head and block so use composite

MLS is not a "better" gasket, its a specific use gasket
If you have aluminum heads then use MLS regardless if block is cast iron or aluminum, because the head still expands faster and more than the block