Yes or no.....and why.....

I'm getting differing opinions.

Thanks

 

Unless specified by the manufacturer, I would install the head gaskets dry.

 

What gasket? That makes a big difference in the answer. For years I've used the Fel Pro Perma Torque gaskets with the blue coating. I wouldn't put anything on them. Back in the olden days when steel shim gaskets were popular, we painted both sides of them with aluminum paint.

RACE ON!!!

 

Let's say for now, felpro 1010s.

Let's also consider I may be looking at these.

http://www.scegaskets.com/products/procopphd.html

I'm doing research on both.

I have the 1010s, but I can return them

 

I've never heard of copper head gaskets used in a DD. I think they can be problematic, but maybe they'd be OK. Not much for specs on that link. I would install the 1010s as is if you use them. It seems I heard of copper gaskets being sprayed with something, but I'm not sure what. Gaskachinch? Did you ever measure your deck clearance? Check your dynamic compression ratio?

RACE ON!!!

 

indian head product ? I have the 1010's with nothing but clean surfaces.
CFI, what did the allum. paint do??....and here I thought I was old

 

I haven't had a chance to do any measurements. I have to find my dial indicator and caliper. I don't know what the heck I did with them.

I received the wrong timing chain set and was unable to set up the head for valve clearance measurements. I'm waiting on the new set to get going.

The good news is because of the delay, I got the oil pan powder coated to match the timing cover, intake, and valve covers...

I have to travel for work next week, I am hoping to get a lot done over the weekend.

 

In the past I've put together many good motors, with aluminum paint sprayed generously on both sides of the gaskets. I don't think you use copper gaskets, unless you're running a blower/turbo with lots of boost, or big shots of NOS. They're expensive too.

 

I didn't use any type of spray (copper or otherwise) when I installed the Felpro 1010s in my '89.

As per Felpro's instructions, prep the deck surfaces properly and install the gaskets dry.

 

For those saying not to use it....

will the copper spray HURT anything, or is it you position that it is basically useless?

 

My belief is spraying them is useless and MAY cause a sealing problem on the 1010's. Anytime someone goes against the manufacturer's recommendation they run the risk of failure or other problems.

I believe name brand companies have scienced out the installation procedure and recommend the most fool-proof way. It's their product and they know what works and what doesn't.

I install my FelPros dry. Over the years I've seen some stamped "This Side UP" or similar words, so look for that. Otherwise, look at both sides; you'll see one side, around the bore openings, it has an "O" ring appearance (separating the bore openings) and the other side is flat (bore openings are connected).

If you still have concerns about this spray or don't spray, give FelPro a call. I'm sure they have a Help Tech desk. I'll bet they'll tell you "dry".

BTW, the only time I installed copper gaskets was when the block had been "O" ringed' the gaskets got sprayed on both sides on those few occasions.

On the BB race engines I did dimple the areas between four cylinders at the top toward the lifter valley when running FelPro 8180PT head gaskets. Those areas had a history of letting the gasket blow out under very high compression. The dimples gave the gasket something to bite into.

Other builders have gone to the trouble of modifying the block and head to add four more head bolts; two on each side.

Jake

 

 

My philosophy, to a tee.



I am pretty sure in instances like that, the engines leaked water. The water couldn't get near the bores because of the O rings, but many of them "weeped". It was never a problem with a race engine, but it might get tiresome on a DD, having to fill the radiator every time you took it out for a drive, or went to work.

jsup,
Deck clearance?

RACE ON!!!

 

Post 7.

I just need to get 5 minutes to do it.

 

We run copper head gaskets in our engines but they are not really daily drivers, more weekend machines. I have never had a problem with them and I like the fact that we can reuse them when we freshen up every 2nd year. If you spend the big bucks on the self sealing ones you don't have to run anything on them, if not, you want to spray copper or put some rtv down around the water passages to keep them sealed up.

 

It depends on the gasket and the gasket material. If you were going to go with a multi layer steel gasket, like a Cometic, I would say yes use the spray.

If you are going to go with a copper gasket on a daily driver, I would suggest having block and head milled to ensure flatness. Also o-ring and a matching receiver groove on block and head would be helpful.

I went with a copper gasket on a different engine a while back and had issues because I didn't pull the block and have it milled. The copper head gaskets I looked at recommended the use of copper spray to take up the small imperfactions and help sealing.

 

I've used the copper spray on my 1010's. Will it hurt anything, no. Is it needed, no. Is it needed, no.

 

I wouldnt recommend using a copper spray either, doesnt make as good of a seal. Either use steal or copper gaskets. The copper is just fine and is supposed to make a stronger seal. I've never used them on head gaskets but they work well on headers.

 

Unless cylinder pressures are very extreme I would not advise the expense of having the block o-ringed. We don't do this unless there are huge FI pressures on race engines. I would have the machine work done; both surfaces must be flat for any gasket to make good seal.