Head gasket opinion please.

flathead4rd

flathead4rd

Well-known member
Just putting my 8-BA back together and was wondering about copper head gaskets and Aluminum heads. I am concerned with electrolysis between the two different metals. Also having a hard time finding big bore gaskets. I'm 3-3/8"X 4-1/16 or 396 CI"s. Seems everyone is out of copper but will go with Felpro and copper spray if necessary. Thanks in advance for your opinions. As a side note. I'm running a Potvin Cam that is stamped 410. Can't find any info on it so I am assuming that is the lift.
 
Best graphite head gaskets and I sprayed on Permatex copper coat sealer is what I used.That 410 lift is a 3/8 Super.Had one in my 4 inch stroke 59AB motor in a 36 coupe. Can't tell you more except it ran like a scared rabbit.
 
Call Sandy Olsen at Olsen's Gaskets. They specialize in gaskets for vintage vehicles. I bought big bore copper head gaskets from him about six months ago, but had the choice of comp too. As far as aluminum heads with copper gaskets, that's a subject on it's own.
 
I only use grease and composite head gaskets (usually Fel-Pro). It is my opinion that if the head and bock surfaces are properly prepared (flat and smooth) and the proper fasteners are used, there will be no sealing problems. Given the galvanic problems already present with aluminum heads and a cast iron block, I don't really like to introduce a third metal (copper). Using a sealer usually renders the gaskets difficult to remove and easily susceptible to damage. With the price of gaskets these days (and given that I'm a cheap *******), reusing head gaskets can be a real money saver, especially when you are "experimenting". I have done it successfully many times over the years.
 
deuce lover said:
Best graphite head gaskets and I sprayed on Permatex copper coat sealer is what I used.That 410 lift is a 3/8 Super.Had one in my 4 inch stroke 59AB motor in a 36 coupe. Can't tell you more except it ran like a scared rabbit.
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Deuce Lover, the Potvin 3/8ths is .375" lift. The OP's cam sounds like it could be the Climax which is advertised at .400" lift.

Please note that copper spray is great, but it is really like a glue. You will not be able to reuse the gaskets if you use the copper spray.

I've had great luck using multiple coats of silver rattle can paint on the gaskets.
 
Tim, I wish I had kept the paperwork with that 3/8 Super but 410 was written on the tag with that cam so was going by that.Thanks, Sheldon
 
deuce lover said:
Tim, I wish I had kept the paperwork with that 3/8 Super but 410 was written on the tag with that cam so was going by that.Thanks, Sheldon
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No problem, Sheldon. Anything is possible and I believe you.

My 3/8ths was ground by Bill Jenks when he was still at Moon.

Tim
 
I have used quite a few Potvin 3/8's (favorite cam for bigger bore street engines) - as well as the 425 Eliminator. I have a Climax 400 . . . have never seen a Potvin Super 3/8's - with 410 lift . . . would LOVE to have one! Anybody have one laying around?
 
Tim, I believe that that cam came from Moon and was in the Dave Enmark collection I sold off in 2007 for his widow after he passed.
 
Bored&Stroked said:
I have used quite a few Potvin 3/8's (favorite cam for bigger bore street engines) - as well as the 425 Eliminator. I have a Climax 400 . . . have never seen a Potvin Super 3/8's - with 410 lift . . . would LOVE to have one! Anybody have one laying around?
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Same with me. Cam would be even better with a little more lift for a bigger motor.
 
Copper head gaskets are only used for racing. If you look at a lot of old aluminum heads that ran copper gaskets, they are eaten out from the electrolysis cause by the dissimilar metals, that is why most of the used flathead aluminum heads are junk. Many modern factory engines have cast iron blocks and aluminum heads. I've pulled the heads off of them and the gaskets surfaces look brand new after more than 100,000 miles because of modern composite gaskets and antifreeze. A race flathead does not have a lot of compression like other race engines so copper gaskets are not needed, unless it's some super-duper land speed flathead engine. Edelbrock recommends Felpro composite gaskets with their new heads they sell.
 
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