20 replies to this topic

[Spider]

"When replacing a cylinder head gasket additional sealing compound is required only when explicitly specified by the manufacturer."

 

https://www.victorre...e-Analysis.aspx

 

 

Thanks for the link, though it only took me to their main page. I did find their 'Tips and Practical Information' booklet though;-

 

https://www.victorre...sis.aspx?region

 

And in line with every other gasket manufacture their advice is;-

 

(page 14)

 

 

and more specifically;-

 

(page 21)
 

[gaspen]

 

"When replacing a cylinder head gasket additional sealing compound is required only when explicitly specified by the manufacturer."

 

https://www.victorre...e-Analysis.aspx

 

 

Thanks for the link, though it only took me to their main page. I did find their 'Tips and Practical Information' booklet though;-

 

https://www.victorre...sis.aspx?region

 

And in line with every other gasket manufacture their advice is;-

 

(page 14)

 

 

and more specifically;-

 

(page 21)
 

 

 

So I can sleep peacefully now 

[Spider]

I've read in this thread and others about issues had with Copper Head Gaskets.

We all check for flatness and warping etc before replacing head gaskets however I have long found in particular with copper composite head gaskets the copper tends to be on the hard side. I'm not suggesting this is a fault with them, just a characteristic of them. For the higher performance engines I once did, they were my gasket of choice.

 

However, along with flatness and warp there's another factor here that I believe is critical with any gasket that's on the harder side and flat, that is one of surface finish. These harder gaskets need a very smooth finish on the block and head. Most machine shops use a mill of one form or another to deck or clean up heads and blocks. I have always felt the finish these leave is too course for these gaskets. I finish mine by grinding when I am going to fit a copper composite head gasket or if you are patient enough, you can after a few hours achieve a similar finish with an oil stone. I've been fitting copper composite head gaskets (and solid copper too) using this method for around 25 years now and never had an issue with them.

A typical mill finish will in cast iron will leave a surface roughness or between 1.0 to 3.0 Ra where as grinding is around 0.3 to 0.8 Ra. Ra is a measurement of surface roughness. There's some fairly easy to follow info on that here;-

https://www.rapiddir...oughness-chart/

Another factor that can come in to play is the hardness of the cast iron of the block and head. Yes, you can get soft and hard cast iron. While I mention this, I can't say I've ever had an issue with anything from BMC / Leyland or Rover, however I have heard of soft blocks in a couple of other makes.

[gaspen]

I am pretty happy that my machine shop use a grining machine to flatten.

 

This is the head of my Authi before and after

 

 IMG_20191002_114504.jpg   70.73K   1 downloads

 IMG_20191113_110656.jpg   49.39K   1 downloads

[colinf1]

I've fitted the victor reinz head gasket twice now, first was without sealant/adhesive, second time was with. No noticable difference between either fitting or durability/reliability.

Only reason for changing was swapping out the rocker arm, which I later found out I could do without removing the entire assembly.

[Spider]

Sorry folks, we have all been doing it wrong,,,,,

 

Like a boss,,,,,,,,,

Put your goggles on,,,,,,