Early 70's BBC Head Gasket Thickness?

[RickSE]

Anyone know if Chevrolet was using steel shim or composite head gaskets on their big block motors in 1971? I found some NOS 396c.i. gaskets that are .022" steel so I'm assuming they were steel shim in 71'. I need to do some work on a 71' 402c.i. and would like to know before I pull the motor apart.

[BUIZILLA]

my '72 402 had steel shim...

JH

[RickSE]

Thanks BUIZILLA, that's what I thought. The stock 8.5:1 compression is already low enough and I don't want to lower it anymore by having to put .040" head gaskets on it. I'll buy the NOS set I found.