.030 head gasket question

[dustin3207]

with just the .030 head gasket can you still run pump gas or do you have to run high octane fuel?
and whats the # for the gasket? I have a 16hp B&S with a single barrel 18hp carb.

[Roger S]

From what I gather, briggs used two gaskets. They used to use a .010 metal shim, and later use a .040 composition gasket. (my last gasket set had both)

Then there are aftermarket better quality thin gaskets, copper, aluminum. You can run pump gas. You probably have the thick gaskets now and won't feel any difference in just a gasket change. But if you had the heads off you could use them anyway. Milling the heads .040 is popular.

Using the long rod and shaving the piston makes a noticable difference because it takes nearly an 1/8" of dead air space out of the cylinder. I didn't mill heads or use thin gaskets.