reusing copper head gaskets?

Discussion in 'PSI Superchargers Tech Questions' started by caseyspradlin, Feb 28, 2011.

  1. caseyspradlin

    caseyspradlin Member

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    I reused my copper head gaskets from last year after winter rebuild. leakdown shows leaking into adjacent cylinders. Is there a something that needs to be done to make them soft again like baking them or something?

    thanks
     
    #1
    caseyspradlin, Feb 28, 2011
  2. backmotor

    backmotor Owner/Crewchief/Test Pilot

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    We anneal ours w/ a propane torch, just before install, heat 'til just changes color, gets almost shiny :cool:
     
    #2
    backmotor, Feb 28, 2011
  3. Mike Canter

    Mike Canter Top Dragster
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    Backwater, if you talk to copper gasket companies like Hussey and SCE they will tell you to never anneal a head gasket. I didn't think anybody did that anymore. OK, so how many out there still do it?

    Casey, one of the major reasons copper head gaskets leak is that people do not label the gasket when they take them off as to which way is up and which cylinder bank and put the same head on that bank. If you don't do that they will leak. That oring has to match up to that head gasket from when it was first installed.
     
    #3
    Mike Canter, Feb 28, 2011
  4. john348

    john348 Top Alcohol

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    I etch the side on the top of every gasket we use with an engraver
    when it is hot and you are hurrying all you have to do is look
    helps stop one more stupid thing from happening
     
    #4
    john348, Feb 28, 2011
  5. caseyspradlin

    caseyspradlin Member

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    thanks

    ok after spending another $100 on new ones today, I will make them left and right from now on.
     
    #5
    caseyspradlin, Feb 28, 2011
  6. 853927e9

    853927e9 New Member

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    head gsk.

    have anneal for over 30 yrs never a problem in all that time
     
    #6
    853927e9, Feb 28, 2011
  7. M Tigges

    M Tigges TAFC

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    Been using the same Hussey Gaskets for 2 years on the same block with same heads.

    Mark
     
    #7
    M Tigges, Feb 28, 2011
  8. Mike Canter

    Mike Canter Top Dragster
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    And UP and Down. Also mark your heads as left or right. I also use just a mist of silicone sealer around any oil holes on both sides of the gasket. I leave about a 1/8-1/4 no sealer zone around the actual hole so it does not ooze into the hole when torqued down. I also put a thin line of sealer along both sides the top part of the gasket so oil doesn't seep out of the lifter valley and come out around the head. This is totally optional to keep the motor cleaner.

    There is no reason to anneal. They will work forever with doing that.
     
    #8
    Mike Canter, Feb 28, 2011
  9. backmotor

    backmotor Owner/Crewchief/Test Pilot

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    BackMOTOR not water, LOL :rolleyes: Have been doing it for a decade now, never a problem, no o-rings, no coolant either, always put in same location, we use head studs w/ nuts and washers..... We are injected, not blown :cool: Had some seepage originally, was told this would fix it, when we started doing it, the problem never reoccurred.

    ** Actual mileage may vary, some settling of contents may have occurred during shipping & handling :D
     
    #9
    backmotor, Feb 28, 2011

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