What gasket for Aluminum heads

R

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I have a set of factory ford aluminum heads for my 1937 21 stud engine. I see copper gaskets listed in the parts books along with standard head gaskets.

I was wondering which ones are recomended with aluminum heads or if makes a difference.

Thanks
 
I'd use the standard gaskets along with slathering grease on all 4 surfaces. Torque to Al specs and re-torque often till the readings stabilize.

Jack E/NJ
 
Watch your coolant, copper and aluminum are not happy together in the presence of an electrolite.[water] The aluminum will go first. I have a pencil zinc in one of the temp sender ports in my heads. Rich
 
I just resolved this question on my 34 with aluminum heads. Go to Olson's Gaskets on the web or Email them at info@olsonsgaskets.com. What you want is a Graphite Head Gasket 507G. A pair of them will run you $45. I did a rebuild on my 34 using steel clad gaskets and they leaked water into the engine after only 4 hours. Purchased a set of copper clad gaskets from Macs thinking they would be better because they would be softer but did not like the electrolysis problem they created. Then I found Olson"s Gaskets and they set me straight. The Graphite 507G is the best one for aluminum heads, as close to original as you will find.
 
Thanks fellas. This place never lets me down, I can always count on a mature and educated answer to my questions.
 
Not familiar with the best gaskets but by the number of positive votes they must be OK . I have enough NOS FORD script composite gaskets around so I just use them & have no problems to mention . As a side note back in the 70's we used aluminum headed big chev motors in the race cars & they had special composite gaskets for this application . The service bulletins on this stressed to NEVER use the normal steel gaskets with cast block - aluminum head motors . We figured they had a reason for this & we followed it . Never had any blown head gasket issues with them .
 
I've used composite gaskets on my V8-60 racer for 18 years w/ no problems. Install dry, retorque after 1 heat cycle and recheck after 2nd heat cycle. Good luck
 
I have used copper gaskets from H&H on offy aluminum heads and never had a problem at all. It's what they recommended and worked great
 
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