Copper Head Gasket & Gasgacinch

[GIBSON]

Hey,
I've never used copper head gaskets before so here's the question:

Do you apply the Gasgacinch to ALL 4 surfaces... to the bottom of the head surface, the top of the cylinder surface then both sides of copper gasket????

If so, then since ya gotta 'wiggle' the jugs to fit the manifold, does that movement not wreck the sealant ability of the Gasgacinch covered surfaces????

Thanks.

[Hillside]

No, use Copper Coat aeresol from local auto parts store.

[claydbal]

ditto the aerosol, permatex brand copper coat. excess is easy to clean also.

[GIBSON]

Thanks for those answers but what about the positioning of the heads when fitting the manifold?
Won't that disturb the seal?

[claydbal]

no, unless you wait forever to torque.

[GIBSON]

Originally Posted by claydbal

no, unless you wait forever to torque.

I appreciate your answer... job gets done today!

Thanks!

[joeldavid_m]

Throw away the copper gaskets and put on a set of James head gaskets. The go on dry, torque and then retorque after 50 miles.

[lochenjons]

Can you put copper gaskets on dry? Or will they not seal very well?

I've seen thicker copper gaskets about 5 times thicker than the regular ones, I assume like most gaskets these seal better?

I didn't realize when I first did mine with the thinner gaskets that you were supposed to spray them (didnt say anything about it in the manual )
It was fine for a while, I retorqued them after awhile, then checked them another 5 times as they started to leak. Took it apart again and used the thicker ones that came with the rebuild kit from HD. Put them on dry again. All seemed well. Then it started to leak again after about 30 miles. Rechecked torque and the outside ones had gotten real loose despite the loctite. Tightened them back down to 70 ft/lbs and took a little ride and all seems well again. Are they gonna leak again?

[claydbal]

we used to shoot em with spray paint! after the retorque, they usually stay put under normal conditions.

[Buddy Seat]

lochenjons-

You really have to check yer mating surfaces, any slight warp or imperfection can cause a leak (eventually)..

I lapped my heads & re-surfaced my cylinders on my Flathead & am still on the same set of thin copper head gaskets when I stroked it back in 2003.. I always do spray em, w/copper-coat as well..

FYI: The thicker head gaskets, will lower your compression..somewhat also

[lochenjons]

Originally Posted by Buddy Seat

lochenjons-

You really have to check yer mating surfaces, any slight warp or imperfection can cause a leak (eventually)..

I lapped my heads & re-surfaced my cylinders on my Flathead & am still on the same set of thin copper head gaskets when I stroked it back in 2003.. I always do spray em, w/copper-coat as well..

FYI: The thicker head gaskets, will lower your compression..somewhat also

Yeah, I'll see how it goes now. But I just have a bad feeling that its gonna leak again. If I take it apart again I'll throw the thinner ones on there then for compression as I want start getting a little more power out of it. Ill resurface it too or something

[newultraclassic]

Originally Posted by joeldavid_m

Throw away the copper gaskets and put on a set of James head gaskets. The go on dry, torque and then retorque after 50 miles.

Good advice here. I've never, ever had a cylinder head leak on a Shovelhead even using the stock gaskets. James gaskets are even better.

I would think that solid copper would tend to leak after a while since there is no crush when torquing them.

[joeldavid_m]

All the guys on the shovelhead forum with S&S shovels have complained about those copper gaskets leaking. I wouldn't mess with them at all. And after cleaning spray painted stock gaskets off of my barrels and heads I won't mess with any gaskets I have to dress either.

[lochenjons]

Originally Posted by joeldavid_m

All the guys on the shovelhead forum with S&S shovels have complained about those copper gaskets leaking. I wouldn't mess with them at all. And after cleaning spray painted stock gaskets off of my barrels and heads I won't mess with any gaskets I have to dress either.

So I took it for a ride today and it still leaks. How much would it run to resurface them? Money is definately a huge issue and if I could be fine getting the james head gaskets and it be good instead of paying $$$ for machine work then that is ideal

[joeldavid_m]

I doubt you need any machine work. If the surfaces aren't flat some sand paper or lapping compound on a piece of glass or other true surface will get you flat again. But seriously ditch the POS copper gaskets and get some James Firering gaskets and forget about it.