Topic: Cooper head gaskets

[crazycraftsman]

Do I use a dressing for the gasket, high temp silicone , I've heard of sprays? What works and can still be removed with out distroying it when needed? Do I torq to factory spec ? Thanks for any input.
Owen

[chavez]

Cheap aluminum spray paint, some use copper coat spray, but Ive had good luck with the aluminum spray paint and cleanup is easier I think.  Just clean the gasket with lacquer thinner, lightly scrub with a scotch brite pad, anneal, then re-coat with paint.  I start with 1/3 torque value, then 2/3, then full torque value.  After a couple heat cycles it's good practice to retorque again.  Key thing though, that your deck and head surfaces be true. Not as much forgiveness as a graphite gasket.  Can lap those surfaces just to be sure.

[George Herrin]

Well said Travis!!!

[crazycraftsman]

Thanks a lot Travis because I did not know that you had to do that. Lol
Owen

[Cromwell C4]

Owen, check with the place you buy your gaskets from. Some copper heads gaskets are already annealed when you buy them, and some companies don't recommend annealing their gaskets due to the engines repeated heating and cooling over time. Just make sure do as Travis mentioned and re-torque the heads after heat cycles during the breaking period.  If you have o-ringed heads or block and true surfaces (near perfect), it's not required to use any form of sealer.

[crazycraftsman]

Its from EC. Briggs single. It looks like is not treated, just plain copper .
Thanks

[SILVERDEVIL]

Well said Tyler.

[Darkviper]

I used copper gasket spray and it dosent hold.

[BIG AL 202]

Its from EC. Briggs single. It looks like is not treated, just plain copper .
Thanks

YES YOU WILL NEED TO ANNEAL IT. DO YOU KNOW HOW?

[crazycraftsman]

Yes, found a bunch of posts 2008-2009 from George and others how to do it and the ec gasket needs to be annealed. Thanks a bunch!

[SILVERDEVIL]

Do not anneal just use locktite 518 jell seal, let it set for 24 hours, I have never had a problem using this method.

[Johnson Mowersports]

The head gaskets from ec are stiff. I have a set that I annealed and they are still not that soft I would definately anneal them. As far as sealer you can try no using any but it will probably leak around the pushrod hole. If so I like to use ultra copper gasket sealer it's good to 750 degrees. Just apply a nice bead around the cylinder and around the pushrod hole on both sides. And torque in 3 increments and let it dry over night should be good to go

[George Herrin]

YOU MUST ANNEAL EC GASKETS.

[crazycraftsman]

Thanks and yes I did. I tryed going with 3 thin coats of copper spray. Head and block were glass sanded after shaving. I'll find out in the morning and will retorq bolts a couple times. I didn't want to ultra copper because I thought it might bend it taking it back off + removing all of it off to put back on. Going to be trying a couple different heads. Thanks for all the input and replies I appreciate it.

Owen

[Jeff McKelroy]

What bolt torque do you use with a copper head gasket?