5 replies to this topic

[CraigyBoy]

I need to know if i need to seal my copper head gasket, i have torqued it down to the specified torques in the haynes manual, but the engine is only part built.

I know these are mainly for high compression ratio engines but this is what i could get at the time, and just need to know if sealing is necessary and if so what to use?

Thanks

CraigyBoy

[Rosslin Racing]

along time ago you used to tighten the head in stages, I take the block and head face are newly machined clean.
you put it together as normal but only tighten the head down too say 40lbs leave it over night and the retighten to 50lbs. once the engine has run and warmed up you can then tighten to what spec you want.

[Dan]

Never put any kind of sealant on a head gasket. The copper type have a layer of resin as part of the gasket, once you heat the engine and allow it to cool once the resin will become sealed to the block and head. That's how most types of head gasket function actually (when changing a copper gasket you will find the residue of this stuff). All you have to do to make sure it is sealed is remember to re-torque it following its first heat/cool cycle. First time you start the engine, run in the cam if it's new and by the time you've done that the engine should be up to operating temperature. Once it's got to the right temperature switch it off and let it cool. Then re-torque it. Don't loosen all the nuts at the same time, work on them one at a time in the proper sequence. Sacken off just a little and re-torque to the proper setting.

[CraigyBoy]

Thanks guy's.




CraigyBoy

[ChrisL]

With mine, I ran it until it was up to temperature, turned the engine off and re-torqued it straight away. Is this wrong?

[mini_turbo_pete]

I need to know if i need to seal my copper head gasket, i have torqued it down to the specified torques in the haynes manual, but the engine is only part built.

I know these are mainly for high compression ratio engines but this is what i could get at the time, and just need to know if sealing is necessary and if so what to use?

Thanks

CraigyBoy

Is it a like a standard headgasket in copper? if it just bolt it in.

I ran a 4mm solid copper head gasket i used a very small skim of silicon around the oil and water galleries and had no problems with any leaking.