Topic: Choosing a Head Gasket

6lucky13	-- 07-12-2011 @ 9:27 AM
	As related on a separate post, I’m replacing the head gasket on a 1937 engine with a cast iron head. I received useful advice on installation of the studs with appropriate references. I now need to choose a head gasket. My choices are Steel, Copper, or Korbestos. Any recommendations and/or comments would be appreciated. Thanks…
alanwoodieman	-- 07-12-2011 @ 9:52 AM
	use Korbestos, use some sort of spray on sealer, copper coat, is what I use, some use aluminum paint
6lucky13	-- 07-13-2011 @ 11:28 AM
	Thanks for the recommendation, woodieman. I thought Korbestos was a good choice. I'll use the copper spray sealant, too.
38 coupe	-- 07-14-2011 @ 7:22 PM
	I prefer a metal gasket and would choose the steel. I would also use copper-coat on both sides of the gaskets.
supereal	-- 07-15-2011 @ 11:49 AM
	Most of those choices will work. Just be sure that the head is flat. Most are not, and a quick trip to a machine shop is usually a good idea to have them checked and resurfaced. Be sure to install and tighten the head nuts from the center outward. We get them all down snug, the go back and torque them using the same pattern.
parrish	-- 07-15-2011 @ 6:58 PM
	Is the copper coat necessary on a copper gasket?...is the purpose to fill miniscule imperfections regardless of the gasket material?
alanwoodieman	-- 07-15-2011 @ 7:12 PM
	yes, it will fill the small imperfections, cast iron is by definition a porous materiel, another theory is it also aids in the installation by allowing the gasket to slide or move as it is being torqued. At least that was we were tought in Navy engine school, we also did the same thing with steam turbines, we used to seal them with triple boiled linsead oil which filled the imperfections. We even used white lead for steam joints, so we could get them back apart

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