Aluminum heads and electrolysis?

B

BobM

Senior Member
My first choice for a head gasket was the graphite type but piston to head clearance has caused me to use the thicker copper gasket. What can I do to minimize the effects of electrolysis associated with aluminum heads?
 
Go to Home Depot. Buy an anode for a water heater. Cut it in lengths of about 2". Drill a hole in one of the pieces. Attach via wire or small chain to the radiator cap. QED
Jim
 
My experiance with aluminum head electrolysis is between the head and head bolts not the head and block causeing stuck heads. There is even a thin hole saw that is made to go over the bolts and release them from the head, the head then comes right off. I always put heady grease on all the bolts befor replaceing the heads and have never had a head stuck. I use standard Fel
 
Keith oh
Where might one buy this thin hole saw you mentioned?
Thank you
Bruce

Works long time

Lasts long time
 
Like I said plenty of corrosion with copper gaskets ,What do you do ,When you are a 100 miles from home, and your oil goes milky.Copper for cast iron ,Graphite/composition for Aluminum,Copper will set up a nice battery action against the aluminum. I could show you plenty of heads that have corroded right under the casket . If you have clearance issue then mill something .Also anti freeze left in to long after the use by date will do the same ,For removing heads you could also try and pour Coca cola/or vinegar down the studs and leave it.
 
If corrosion is a big problem with copper head gaskets, why does Edelbrock recommend copper head gaskets with their flathead aluminum heads? Ed
 
We use "copper" head gaskets nowadays on just about all the Flatheads! Occasionally we'll use conventional pieces.

Make certain to maintain a 50/50 anti-freeze mix, preferably the "older" green color, not the "newer" red!!

Not sure how many here recall all the issues with the "Vega" aluminum blocks, but they would begin "disintegrating" at the cylinder walls (there were no liners in the bores, the "tin-plated" pistons ran on the aluminum walls) when the anti-freeze started to become "diluted". Eventually they smoked bad enough to be rebuilt. Upon rebuilding them all 4 cyl's got sleeves! We learned much from this condition.

Thanks, Gary in N.Y.

P.S. Just an add'l word of caution, make certain also that ALL "ground" connections are kept "clean", this is important!
 
These days you may get away with it because of the better quality Aluminum ,I would not recommend it on any old stock Cylinder head .Ford sold and recommended composition gasket for Aluminum heads. All modern cars use the composition Gaskets , .
Ed Pitts said:
If corrosion is a big problem with copper head gaskets, why does Edelbrock recommend copper head gaskets with their flathead aluminum heads? Ed
Click to expand...
 
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I think I might have a clearance issue with my alum heads and if so I thought about running a copper gskt by the block and graphite by the head stacked. Would this still cause corrosion? Thanks Gary
 
I wouldn't run 2 Gaskets if you can help it ,because of sealing issues ,Plasty gouge the head to piston clearance ,Then decide were to take the material of ,You could do a search of the subject , Or someone like old Ron could Chime in
 
I'm using a product called Water Wetter. Added to your coolant it's suppose to help cooling, and prevent corrosion, so I've been told.
 
How do you recognize an electrolysis condition? I have a '36 with aluminum heads & copper head gaskets and I would like to be able to tell if electrolysis is present.
 
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