Good Head Gasket

[RichardHawkins]

Gentlemen,

I have read many posts on this subject, and end up being confused. Is there any consensus on the best gasket to use for a nearly standard engine that has pistons +0.020" and a head that has been refaced to remove minor corrosion?

Richard Hawkins

[Panda]

Hi Richard,
I have had very good results with no leakages on std. and race engines by using Ajusa gaskets. They are a composition gasket, made I believe in Spain. I think QED in UK are able to supply.
Alan Pate

[rgh0]

There have been three major styles of production head gaskets used in cars over the last 40 or so years to my knowledge. There are a few other special approaches taken in some engines but these are certainly not mainstream designs like the 3 below

i.e.
1. The steel and copper style gasket as used on the original twin cam construction
2. Composite fibre gasket style with a steel fire ring insert used in the 80's and 90's on most cars
3. Multi Layer Steel (MLS) style gasket used on many (most?) new cars today

All three styles are avaiable today for the twin cam and are commercially sold so they must all work.

Personally I use the composite fibre style gaskets. I believe these seal the compression pressures better than the original style steel and copper gaskets and you certainly blow less head gaskets in race engines if you use them. i have also seen people who have tried the MLS gaskets have problems getting them to seal the water passages and I believe the twin cam head design is just to flexible for these modern gaskets which dont accomodate movements as well as the composite style does.

cheers
Rohan

[nomad]

Sorry for not replying to you on my post, Richard. I was waiting for delivery of my gasket to see if I liked it. I ordered a composite gasket from Cometic. Never have had good luck with the copper and steel sandwich gaskets

Waiting on the Cometic yet.

Kurt
26/3754

[RichardHawkins]

Thanks everyone for your help, it looks like a composition gasket is the way to go

Richard Hawkins

[fatboyoz]

Rohan,
Do you have a specific brand of composite fibre head gasket? If so, do you have to do anything with the holes?
Cheers,
Colin.

There have been three major styles of production head gaskets used in cars over the last 40 or so years to my knowledge. There are a few other special approaches taken in some engines but these are certainly not mainstream designs like the 3 below

i.e.
1. The steel and copper style gasket as used on the original twin cam construction
2. Composite fibre gasket style with a steel fire ring insert used in the 80's and 90's on most cars
3. Multi Layer Steel (MLS) style gasket used on many (most?) new cars today

All three styles are avaiable today for the twin cam and are commercially sold so they must all work.

Personally I use the composite fibre style gaskets. I believe these seal the compression pressures better than the original style steel and copper gaskets and you certainly blow less head gaskets in race engines if you use them. i have also seen people who have tried the MLS gaskets have problems getting them to seal the water passages and I believe the twin cam head design is just to flexible for these modern gaskets which dont accomodate movements as well as the composite style does.

cheers
Rohan

[rgh0]

Hi Colin

I get my gaskets direct from a small local producer called HJ Gaskets based here in Melbourne. He is a one man in his garage style operation and he will make a composite gasket in a range of bore sizes and thicknesses to suit what you need. Lotus Marques used to sell his gaskets, not sure if they still do.

His gaskets have an Aluminium painted on style sealer on both faces and I dont do anything to them but fit as they come.

cheers
Rohan

[nomad]

I received my Cometic gasket and it appears to be well made but has no extra method of sealing around the water passage holes. I imagine all the others that are on the market are the same so I'm wondering what extra precautions should be taken for the water and oil passage's. Was thinking of a small copper wire around each hole with sealer as well. I've used that trick before. Suggestions???

Kurt
26/3754

[rgh0]

The composite gaskets I use don't have sealing around the water jacket holes and this has never been a problem. Once the gasket is under compression water will not leak through them

cheers
Rohan

[nomad]

Thanks, Rohan

Kurt