Model t aluminum head question

P

patbill@megahits.com

Senior Member
Thanks for all the replies to my last post. I purchased a Z aluminum head for my 24 model T. I am using a copper head gasket. Should I use copper spray sealer? I know the head and block will have different expansion rates when hot because of the dis-similar metals, aluminum and cast iron. Is this a problem when using sealer? Am I "overthinking" this? I'm leaning towards using sealer. I've had good luck with spray copper gasket sealer in the past. Any thoughts? Am I right?

Thanks!
Bill
 
I would use it unless expressly prohibited by the part manufacturers. In the old days people used silver paint as a gasket sealer.
 
I have used the copper spray gasket sealer on Z heads. You would also be wise to use a sacrificial anode in the radiator due to the dissimilar metals
 
As a precaution prior installing the Z head - make sure you clean all the crud out of the block hole threads - carbon, etc., then without the gasket, install the head and all bolts finger tight & turn the engine over by hand to determine if there might be a "clearance" issue which has been known to occur with the Z head especially if the block has been bored oversized.

And yes, use copper coat !
 
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Copper and aluminum pigment paints are interchangeable for use as a gasket sealer. It was common to use the silver and copper spray paints back in the day. Aluminum heads can have electrolytic problems on cast iron blocks but using corrosion resisting coolant helps. Some use a node placed in the feed line from the radiator to draw corrosion away from the exposed component surfaces.

Make sure the gasket will drop over the studs before applying any sealer to the head gasket. The coating will be less affected since it should be assembled while the coating is still soft.
 
Be sure to clean out the bolt holes in the block and install the head without the gasket to make sure of piston clearance. You will also need to use the harden washers under the bolt head.
 
Never hurts to use copper spray on a copper "sandwich" style head gasket. However, do not use copper spray on modern silicone impregnated head gaskets. They already have sealant built into them.
 
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