prep head gaskets

[offy19]

what work best; copper coat or aluminum paint to prep copper head gaskets?

 

[Dennis/Arkansas]

Do you have Cast Iron or Aluminum heads? Dennis/Arkansas

 

[steve-cook]

A follow up to his question what works best on Aluminum heads and what works best on cast Iron heads?

 

[offy19]

Good cach, aluminum. Thanks

 

[Ronnie]

Alum paint will get you by ok.Don't thing it matters what kind of head. Paint both sides

 

[keith oh]

Use chassis grease on both sides of gasket, torque from center bolts out in small stages. Grease will allow the gasket to Aline itself while torquing. Paint will make removing the head if necessary without damaging the gasket very difficult.

 

[Ronnie]

Isn't a seal what you want? If not why paint it?

 

[CWPASADENA]

I clean everything absolutely grease free with lacquer thinner or acetone. Then I use spray Copper Coat very liberally on both sides of the gasket and put everything together and torque the heads while everything is wet. I let set overnight before I put coolant in it and run it. I re-torque several times, running the engine and allowing it to cool in between.

This seems to work for me

Chris

 

[Ronnie]

Sounds like a good one

 

[danliveshere]

So is copper coat and copper head gaskets the best for new aluminium heads?

 

[ken ct]

So is copper coat and copper head gaskets the best for new aluminium heads?

I would not use copper cote or copper head gaskets with Alum. heads. Copper and Alum are NOT compatible,OMO. ken ct.

 

[Dennis/Arkansas]

Dan, it has been mentioned on the Barn that the best gaskets for aluminum heads are composite, non-metal. Before installing a thin coating of grease can be used on the gasket. Dennis/Arkansas

So is copper coat and copper head gaskets the best for new aluminium heads?

 

[GoCatGo]

I would not use copper cote or copper head gaskets with Alum. heads. Copper and Alum are NOT compatible,OMO. ken ct.

I couldn't agree more with Ken. If you already have the copper gaskets, use aluminum spray paint on both sides. If you need to purchase the gaskets, I would get fiber. I prefer the "best" brand, but Fel-Pro works fine.

 

[CWPASADENA]

I would not use copper cote or copper head gaskets with Alum. heads. Copper and Alum are NOT compatible,OMO. ken ct.

I guess I am still from the old school. I have been using Copper gaskets with Aluminum heads for more then 50 Years with VERY GOOD RESULTS. I guess I have been or lucky.

Chris

 

[Ronnie]

Chris why change you know it works. Let others reinvent the wheel.

Good deal.

 

[ford1]

Chris, im with you, ive used copper gaskets since 1955 on aluminum and iron heads with no problems, i got tired of scrapping off the crap left by composition gaskets, the ones using the composition gaskets havent spent hours removing that stuff from around head studs and bandaging cut knuckles, guess im to dumb to know any better , so i use copper

 

[CWPASADENA]

Chris, im with you, ive used copper gaskets since 1955 on aluminum and iron heads with no problems, i got tired of scrapping off the crap left by composition gaskets, the ones using the composition gaskets havent spent hours removing that stuff from around head studs and bandaging cut knuckles, guess im to dumb to know any better , so i use copper

Chris why change you know it works. Let others reinvent the wheel.

Good deal.

I am with you guys,

If HENRY intended for his Aluminum heads to be used with Composition Gaskets, he would have used such.

I am also old and slow and do not have the time or patience to remove the mess left over from Composition gaskets.

Again, Just my thoughts.

Chris