Head Gasket Selection

Joe KCMO

Joe KCMO

Senior Member
I searched the archives and read different facts about different types of gaskets. But could not find what I really wanted. What would the Barn say is the best type of gasket for a stock flathead ford with iron heads?
 
I'll differ and say copper asbestos if running iron heads. And Best make them in that style and are the 'best'. Brian
 
I have used both, prefer the composite, they seal just fine. Copper - asbestos?
Asbestos was outlawed 20+ years ago. As long as the surfaces are clean, smooth,
etc. Thread holes cleaned, head surface is flat, and the usual assembly procedures
are followed, either should work just fine. Chocolate or vanilla?
H&H use copper, and their quality is excellent.
 
i use copper, as long as the block and heads are straight they hold exlnt, and in a pinch they can be used again, ive found with composit if you get a little water weep from the head bolts the water softens the composit material and causes it to fail, and besides its a pain trying to scrape the composit material off the block around the head studs, but like every thing else, use what works for you
 
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If you enjoy retorquing your heads all the time go with copper, if you only want to do it once use composite. I have a fair amount of experience with both.
 
I have been using Best gaskets since they came out. They are composite. They work great. I build alot of flatheads with blowers, never had a problem . One retourqe and you are finished. Copper does not seal as well. If you have a stud thats leaks you can see the water run out between the two sheets of copper.
 
OK now! The reason I use Copper head gaskets is: 50 years ago they were the only big bore gasket available, I reause them dozens of times, they never leak, and last but not least. I don't know any better. There may be better gaskets available, but you can't teach an old dog new tricks.
 
ol'ron, same here, and i got tired of spending hours and cutting my fingers and knuckles cleaning the stuck on material from around the head studs on the older v/8's, its hard enough getting the head off the studs with out fighting the stuck on crap from the composition gasket material, i guess the composition gasket would be alright on a later v/8
 
TomO said:
I like the FelPro composite, but then I don't take the heads off once I put the engine together.
Click to expand...

That's my thinking too. I don't intend to have to pull the heads ever, after a rebuild. I don't think I'll live long enough to wear out my rebuilds.
 
Correct me if I'm wrong, but COPPER has a chemical reaction problem with aluminum while Feltpro, etc doesn't.
 
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