Brian- The copper doesn't act as a gasket by itself, since it won't deform
under the slight (relatively) pressure applied by the Head Bolts, it acts
more as a shim and thermal conductor than anything else. The 'thick coat' of
Copper Coat should, even with 3 coats, be no more than about .005" thick (if
properly applied). The use of copper coat itself, which contains copper as a
primary ingredient (hence the name) maintains the thermal transmission
capacity of the copper head gasket. Even with a Fel-Pro gasket, I, myself,
would still apply 3 coats of Copper Coat. Just my .02
Mark Haynes
'62 HAN6
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Bryan Vandiver [SMTP:Bryan.Vandiver@Eng.Sun.COM]
> Sent: Thursday, August 19, 1999 11:29 AM
> To: spridgets@autox.team.net
> Subject: (follow up) Blown Head Gasket
>
> Thanks everyone for all the great feedback!
>
> I pulled the head last night, and here's what I found...
>
> The gasket didn't really 'blow'. The copper gasket itself appeared to be
> in OK
> condition, however it was clear that it failed to seal almost
> everywhere!(gives
> a new meaning to the term 'top-oiling' the pistons). It was very clear,
> because
> of 'staining on the gasket, that coolant, and oil was not being sealed at
> all.
> Pistons 2&3 also appeared to be sharing compression. I'm really surprised
> my
> engine was running as well as it was, since I just thought it ran a little
>
> rougher than it should!
> In any case, I pick up the felpro gasket I have on order today. I will
> also
> check the head and top of the engine again with a straight edge to see if
> they
> should be resurfaced, but if there was a problem there, I would have
> expected a
> leak in a specific area.
> As far as the 'copper gasket' (made in England) goes... the over whelming
> advice
> is to make sure it has about three coats of copper spray gasket sealer on
> it
> before using. This to me goes against all logic of what a a copper gasket
> is all
> about.
>
> a) if a head 'gasket' doesn't seal without putting a thick coat of gasket
> sealing material on it, then, that should have been specified when I
> bought it.
>
> b) the whole reason for using a 'copper' gasket, is to promote a more even
>
> cooling of the head, but in order for this to work, you need 'direct'
> metal to
> metal contact between the copper, and head/engine.
>
> But since you have to do 'a' to make the gasket work, then 'b' is no
> longer
> valid - so what's the point???
>
> In any case, thanks everyone, and if all goes well, I'll have the bugeye
> back on
> the road by Saturday :-
>
> BTW - For the Felpro gasket, should both the head and engine, be complete
> clean
> and dry before installing, or is a light coat of oil OK???
>
> - Regards,
> Bryan Vandiver (59-bugeye)
> San Jose, CA
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