thicker head gaskets for 1956 322 nailhead ??

[OzBuick]

My 322 Buick Nailhead (1956) has just been reassembled after having a hydraulic lock problem however now has a "knocking" sound. We have been reviewing what the problem might be and believe that it may relate to the thickness of the gasket and machining that may have been done to the engine block deck and cylinder heads over time (as they have both been reconditioned at different stages). we put a camera into the spark plug holes and can see that the valves & pistons appear to be having slight contact which possibly accounts for the knocking sound. We think the only way to fix this will be with a thicker than standard head gasket. We have purchased the current one through Egge. Has anyone had this problem or similar? Does anyone know of anyone who sells or can make thicker than usual head gaskets for this engine type please? or can anyone suggest anything else?? I really miss driving my Buick it has been off the road for over 4 months now. I am in Australia so its hard to obtain information and parts easily (this forum is a great resource)

thanks in advance to anyone who has any ideas
Petrina

[38 McLaughlin]

I'm no expert here, but could the timing be off slightly?

Getting a thick headgasket made of soft aluminum ...lazer cut from _ gauge aluminum sheet maybe a possiblity. Would definitely $$$ a bit.

just a couple of ideas.

[telriv]

Buick did it in '53 & part of '54 to take care of a detonation problem. Install TWO head gaskets.

[Bob]

Did you put in a high lift cam?