whats the difference?

[samurai pizza cats]

sorry if this Q is obvious, but im changing the head gasket on my 87 325i and i was wondering what was the difference between a 1.75mm head gasket and a 2.05 head gasket? just don't want to get the wrong gasket and then have to go back and get a different one. thanks!

[Cabriolet]

if you have to mill alot off the head you use the thicker one.

[samurai pizza cats]

cool man, thanks!

[matt0300]

Just use OEM one, if u had head resurfaced it will lower ur compression.

[jlevie]

Just use OEM one, if u had head resurfaced it will lower ur compression.

Surfacing the head increases compression ratio, but that affect is minor compared to the change in camshaft timing. A thicker head gasket compensates for th loss of material from the head and restores both the compression ratio and cam timing.

[digger]

i think it is pretty hard to find the thinner gaskets these days.

[MR 325]

Run the OEM thickness.