Hitchcocks Forum

Hi all, I've read various comments about the need to anneal copper head gaskets before re-fitting the head. Can someone tell me why / if this is necessary as the gasket looks fine and obviously hasn't been bent or hammered so should not really have hardened. I'm just worried I might do more damage removing it from the barrel in order to anneal it than leaving well alone! Also, what is the consensus of opinion about using a sealant with both the composite gasket at the lower end of the barrel (which does need replacing), and with the copper head gasket? What is the best type to buy if the advice is to use a sealant? Thanks for any advice.

hi sab
copper work and age hardens,so it would be wise to remove it ,heat to cherry red and quench in cold water,you will now have a soft gasket and do not use sealant

Sab, to add to Plodder's reply, when you quench in cold water drop the gasket in edgewise on. I don't know why and was never given a reason but was severly chastised by all the old hands if I didn't. Edward

I understand the copper gets work hardened just by being under pressure. The most important thing is to get the mating surfaces flat and clean. If you do this you don't need any sealant. If you're dealing with an iron barrel this should be easy to clean. Alloy heads benefit from a rub down on a sheet of wet-n-dry fixed to a flat board (or a sheet of thick glass if you have one)

On my 500 I used the composite head gasket and the barrel base gasket without any sealant and they have not leaked or caused any issues. - For the sake of a few quid I wouldn't bother re-using the copper one.

Hi guys & MIDGE }--- yes, me too. My 500 "Iron " engine has our hosts American composite gasket fitted----dry and clean but NO SEALANT. I have a De-compression plate fitted at the cyl. base so therefore 2 gaskets into which I rubbbed a small amount of general grease prior to assy. Over 1000 miles later and NO PROBS AT ALL !!!!............. BUT, I keep all the copper gaskets anyway and use them when the Bank Manager recommends it. ( Didn't know he was an Engineer !!). LoL.

------------just to carry that last post of mine a tad further but has anyone tried re-using a composite gasket ??

coposite gasket i would think are one hit only alan ,un less someone knows different?

Hi all
I have a 1960 triumph and still use old copper gasket,no problems,why buy a composite one?