Most of my adult life I have tried to find Victor-Reinz (now owned by Dana) gaskets and have always had good luck. I think most gaskets are decent and that many failures weren't the fault of the gasket, but of the installer.

 

Most failures are caused by improper installation, so any named gasket will work.

 

This is what I like to use,

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Timely thread for me. Is the 1250 or 1262 the correct port size for ‘65 small chamber heads? I’m taking mine apart tomorrow so I will know for sure, but just curious for now.

 

I would measure the port size after you pull the intake and figure out which set is the best fit for you.

 

I've also had good luck with Fel-Pro, but for anything coolant-related, I'd go blue RTV. I use a stiff paint brush and paint the gaskets, the heads, and the intake around the water ports. The gasket sets usually come with plastic studs to align the gaskets and the intake. Plastic works a little better than cut-off bolts because they bend.

 

Also want to mention that I quit using rtv sealant on my intake gaskets. I switched to using only gasgacinch awhile back and have had no issues what so ever. I slather it on as directed on the can. It goes around all the ports, on both sides of the gaskets, heads, and intake. Right stuff gasket maker at the china rails, ARP studs.

 

Felpro 1250 gaskets are entirely paper and are GARBAGE, do not recommend using them! They delaminate fairly easily.

Instead, I use Felpro MS 90103-1, which is the same port design, but reinforced with steel. Much better quality. I always use RTV for the end, of course, and also use a bit of it around the water jacket ports just to be sure.

 

I like the Fel Pro 'S' gaskets, like the 1262S, with a steel core laminated inside. LSG

 

Agree, the S or S3 fel-pro are the way to go. For installation, I also use bolts (with cutoff heads) in the four corners as guides when placing the intake.

 

I am a big Gasgacinch fan. RTV at ends only. I have never purchased intake gaskets with plastic alignment studs. I made two alignment studs out of bolts with heads cut off and a slot cut in the top for a flat blade screwdriver. One installed at back of one head and front of the other allows the intake to slide down straight every time. I am with PA-cobb on gaskets.

 

Went through my stash this morning. Top to bottom...95952...90361 composite...90361 steel core...90103-1...1250. The 90103-1 is definitely the correct one for early 289 heads.

 

Whatever you do make sure to get a 6 bolt gasket and not an 8 bolt, they seal like when running 6 bolt intake. I ran FelPro 1250S3 with C9 heads and Performer intake, sprayed with Permatex high-tack sealant, holds gasket in place and keeps it from going brittle.

 

What do you mean by 8 bolt gasket/intake?

 

Fel Pro Steel Laminate, Printoseal are the best I have used. Contrary to common belief, Fel Pro strongly recommends not using RTV or any high tack sealant on these gaskets because they can leak.