copper is tricky to install and get a good seal but if you sucseed its suposed to last forever
Copper header gaskets?
Race Director
Joined: Feb 1999
Posts: 12,772
Likes: 17
From: Indianapolis IN
Originally Posted by STL94LT1
Header gaskets?
Sorry about that
I have used these too, as well as the PERCY's I don't like them actually, never did stay sealed.
The best I have had was to buy the Felpro and I took a dremel tool with a cutting disc and cut the profile of the header tube ID into the gasket and they have sealed well every time, and have been reused 2-3times.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 8,183
Likes: 3
From: Santa Maria, CA
I use and love the copper header gaskets. Minor leak on a cylinder, but I sandwiched a soft foil gasket there.
In my case I was constantly doing some kind of work on the engine that required R/R of the hookers, so their reuse-ability was great.
In my case I was constantly doing some kind of work on the engine that required R/R of the hookers, so their reuse-ability was great.
Drifting
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 1,554
Likes: 13
From: Romeoville IL
If you are going to run copper I recommend getting an o-ring inslatted into the head, and have a receiver groove machined into the block so they seal.
And make sur ethat the heads are milled and the block decked before install.
And make sur ethat the heads are milled and the block decked before install.
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Large Impressive Member
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 65,811
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From: Good health is merely the slowest possible rate at which one can die
St. Jude Donor '04-'05-'06-'07
I've used the same pair of Mr. Gasket copper gaskets on first my DRM headers and now with my SWs. Both of these are quality stainless steel headers. No problems or leaks and the bolts have stayed tight after a couple of retorques during the first few heat cycles.
Race Director
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 12,261
Likes: 85
From: O'Fallon Missouri
Originally Posted by Michael_ERT
If you are going to run copper I recommend getting an o-ring inslatted into the head, and have a receiver groove machined into the block so they seal.
And make sur ethat the heads are milled and the block decked before install.
And make sur ethat the heads are milled and the block decked before install.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 9,036
Likes: 13
From: Edmonton AB
I vote that copper is a poor HEAD or HEADER gasket material
to choose for long term use with aluminum heads. There is a
0.55 V difference on the Anodic Index between copper and aluminum
and all three conditions for required for galvanic corrosion are present.
Please read the following posts from an earlier thread, along with
the links.
My vote is FOR the 1003 and AGAINST the 1010.
There have been many members posts about premature head gasket
failure after installing FelPro 1010 gaskets. The fire ring fails between
the back two cylinders (5/7 or 6/8) after a few years.
.
to choose for long term use with aluminum heads. There is a
0.55 V difference on the Anodic Index between copper and aluminum
and all three conditions for required for galvanic corrosion are present.
Please read the following posts from an earlier thread, along with
the links.
Originally Posted by Slalom4me
Originally Posted by Skrud13
I saw the felpro number 1003 has a steel ring and a thickness of .041
while the 1010 has a copper ring and a thickness of .039. If I use the
1010, will that increase my compression too much in addition to the
head resurfacing?
Which one do you guys recommend?
while the 1010 has a copper ring and a thickness of .039. If I use the
1010, will that increase my compression too much in addition to the
head resurfacing?
Which one do you guys recommend?
There have been many members posts about premature head gasket
failure after installing FelPro 1010 gaskets. The fire ring fails between
the back two cylinders (5/7 or 6/8) after a few years.
.
Originally Posted by Slalom4me
My vote is that galvanic corrosion due to dissimilar metals is what
causes the FelPro 1010 headgasket to fail when used between an iron
block and an aluminum head.
Depending on the grade, Aluminum has an Anodic Index of 0.75 to 0.95,
just around the 0.85 index of low alloy Steel.
However Copper has an Anodic Index of 0.35 - far enough along the
scale to cause trouble.
Copper is further away from Aluminum than Brass which was discussed
in this thread Aluminum engines with brass components.
These links are from that thread:
.
causes the FelPro 1010 headgasket to fail when used between an iron
block and an aluminum head.
Depending on the grade, Aluminum has an Anodic Index of 0.75 to 0.95,
just around the 0.85 index of low alloy Steel.
However Copper has an Anodic Index of 0.35 - far enough along the
scale to cause trouble.
Copper is further away from Aluminum than Brass which was discussed
in this thread Aluminum engines with brass components.
These links are from that thread:
.
Originally Posted by Slalom4me
In just ONE thread, the following members report trouble
using the FelPro 1010 on an iron aluminum L98.
There are pictures of failed gaskets in the thread.
korvette4u
Dominic Sorresso
Plasticman
Morley (FelPro, but unsure if 1010)
Bogus
HuggerVette
Might have signs of blown head gasket now
There are other threads about the 1010 that you can look
up if desired.
.
using the FelPro 1010 on an iron aluminum L98.
There are pictures of failed gaskets in the thread.
korvette4u
Dominic Sorresso
Plasticman
Morley (FelPro, but unsure if 1010)
Bogus
HuggerVette
Might have signs of blown head gasket now
There are other threads about the 1010 that you can look
up if desired.
.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 1,228
Likes: 1
From: Dallas Texas
Usually when you install headers, custom extensions have to be made to mate with the rest of the exhaust. Typically the first time around, folks use the gaskets that come with the headers (paper, composition, etc) which are thinner than a metal type gasket. Depending on the fabricator, there might not be much "slop" to allow for a thicker gasket. It will bolt up obviously, but the header extensions will pull the header collectors in, creating a situation where the header flange is no longer parallel with the head.
When I bought my copper header gaskets (after my paper set burned through), the guy at the parts counter warned me of the above. I was careful during the install, used correct torque, retorqued, etc. Still leaked. I pulled them out to replace the coppers with Felpros, and guess where the coppers leaked? Along the top. This would suggest the header collectors were being pulled in, not allowing the headers to seat parallel with the heads. There might not be enough material on the copper gaskets to take up the gap, but I could see the extra thick gaskets, like Percy's Dead Soft, doing a fine job.
Just a thought...
When I bought my copper header gaskets (after my paper set burned through), the guy at the parts counter warned me of the above. I was careful during the install, used correct torque, retorqued, etc. Still leaked. I pulled them out to replace the coppers with Felpros, and guess where the coppers leaked? Along the top. This would suggest the header collectors were being pulled in, not allowing the headers to seat parallel with the heads. There might not be enough material on the copper gaskets to take up the gap, but I could see the extra thick gaskets, like Percy's Dead Soft, doing a fine job.
Just a thought...