Closed deck motor/ open deck head gaskets?

[Action Dave]

I've got a closed deck Johnson 200HO that I just had put back together. I got some freebie open deck head gaskets that I was told I could use. I heard it will drop compression a few pounds but nothing else. My heads have been milled so I was getting about 125-130lbs of compression with the closed deck gaskets. If my compression# drops a few pounds, I won't mind, especially during break in. Is there anything else I should be concerned about using these gaskets?

[Jim_Pat]

the open deck gaskets have a seal bead around the holes, not sure if that makes a difference on sealing as the closed deck does not. But check with the experts, Sam is not far from you and he should know. Keep us posted good luck.

[davemvegas]

i have used open deck on my closed deck. i lost about 10-12psi. they interchange without issue. there is a big difference in thickness. closed deck is .035 open is .070 or .075

[baja200merk]

Yup bolt them up. If your heads and block are clean your fine. If your worried about it put a tiny bit of rtv on the outside of the gasket. I doubt youll have a problem though.

200HO

[Action Dave]

Thanks. Ran the boat yesterday and put about 3 hours on it. I will probably got back to the thinner gaskets once shes broken in.

Believe it or not kid, my motor is as close to stock as possible. Just the heads and dry stacks. No real porting. Just cleaned up sleeves.