Head Gasket?

J

jeepguy1948

Well-known member
This question has undoubtedly been asked and answered many times; there are several different head gaskets available, which one should I use? And should I use sealant on it? This would be for an “B” motor with an “A” cylinder head. Thanks in advance
 
I recommend the BEST 509 copper gasket. They also make a fiber gasket, the thing I don't like about them is that when you have to remove it, you spend an hour scrapping the old one off. The 509 is an A gasket, do not use a B gasket as they may protrude into the combustion chamber.
 
I also use the Best 509, but I use the graphite version (509G) and coat with copper coat before installation. Yes, it’s a pain to remove, but that’s not a regular task.
 
A Model Aer on our recent rally blew a head gasket. Before retirement, he was a mechanic so replacing it was no problem.
I'd like to know what others think of his use of grease on the gasket before he tightened it down. He said he has done it that way for years.
 
Synchro909 said:
A Model Aer on our recent rally blew a head gasket. Before retirement, he was a mechanic so replacing it was no problem.
I'd like to know what others think of his use of grease on the gasket before he tightened it down. He said he has done it that way for years.
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Things have changed somewhat in the way machining is done since then. Back in the days, many shops used a Rotary Broach that had something like 10 triangulated HSS cutters on a wheel. Often the cutters were slightly out of height alignment, and the speeds were not always optimal, so the RA finish was more akin to looking at a ******* File rather than a smooth surface. Copper gaskets then were also softer, so the wax-based greases assisted in allowing the gasket to move & settle when the head nuts were being torqued. Today, most automotive machine shops are using a CBN cutter with a variable speed head that allows the surface RA to be really smooth, -hence no real reason to use the modern greases.
 
jeepguy1948 said:
This question has undoubtedly been asked and answered many times; there are several different head gaskets available, which one should I use? And should I use sealant on it? This would be for an “B” motor with an “A” cylinder head. Thanks in advance
Click to expand...

The one question that has not been discussed above is has this 'B' Block been modified for using an A head on it?
 
katy said:
Back in the 1950s working on Model As and V-8, that was the norm.
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We always used the copper clad gaskets, not the steel ones.
Later years some people used a thin coat of spray aluminum paint and let it dry before installing.
 
Jim Brierley said:
I spray with aluminum paint because it acts like glue, copper coat never dries, so remains slippery. light coat first, let dry, then a heavier coat and install when still tacky.
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Would the aluminum spray paint work on a graphite type head gasket like the 509-G?
 
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