Forum

[Reg]

Probably a daft question: Can I re-use a COMPOSITE head gasket without annealing it?

[Alan R]

Hi REG ------ First, have a read of this}---- http://scegaskets.com/wp_super_faq/what ... materials/ --------- and from that you can see that you don't anneal composite gaskets.......Or was that a typo which should read }--- copper ?? Yes, you could re-use a copper gasket without annealing it but why would you ? It only takes a few mins. and BINGO !!! your copper is nice and soft / ductile again..

[Beezabryan]

The answer Reg is - No

[another Allan]

Hi Reg. It's not been directly stated yet, but composite gaskets are not intended to be re-used at all. Annealing, deep-fat frying, microwaving or simply leaving them alone will not make them fit for further use.

[Reg]

Thank you gentlemen. I shall scrap said composite gasket and get the original copper one annealed on the gas ring when my good lady isn't looking. How long after doing this before I can fit it? Or rather, once annealed must the gasket be used straight away?

[JTL]

Hi Reg... yes, you can re-use the composite head gasket, if by you mean Mr H's part # 42333C. I have re-used mine several times. Just smear a thin layer of copper grease on both sides and it's ready to be used again. No need of any sealant, and a big plus is that it's very easy to seperate head from cylinder... regards Jacob

[mauri]

the howe and why of annealing coper

[PeteF]

It's best to use a bigger flame than the guy in the video did, a propane torch is fine or a gas ring. Also, keep the copper at cherry red for a minute or two. You can quench in water which removes the oxide but doesn't harden the metal like it would with steel. The part is ready for use immediately.

[Alan R]

Hi guys----just a pointer re}--- fitting Head gaskets on a Classic 350 /500 ...The top of the barrel liner protrudes by a certain amount ( let's call it "x" for old time's sake. )....This protrusion fits into a recess within the cylinder head's lower, flat face.............Before actually fitting the gasket clean all surfaces then place the head onto the barrel...Take a look along the joint area and you should see a small gap ( The protrusion being deeper than the recess )...........That gap MUST be smaller than the thickness of the gasket or you won't form a seal.....Your torque wrench will still pull the head nuts up tight but that is an illusion as it's only the top of the protrusion clamping down onto the recess...and NOT the head squashing the gasket.....This might be evident if you re-use a composite gasket and the fire ring has already been deformed OR fit a new / re-con barrel with a deeper liner protrusion than standard....I had this happen with my No.3 Bullet not so long ago....I had to remove about 10 thou ( 0.010" ) BY HAND !! before the gasket would stay still and a seal obtained....Yes-- you can re-use a composite gasket as illustrated by JTL--- I've done so on many an occasion but still prefer the traditional Blue/Green flame of Copper being annealed...

[Alan R]

Ha---ships that cross in the night, eh ??.......May I just add to PETE F's excellent observations ?-----Yes, heat-sink for a short while BUT how many of us here actually know just what that oft-quoted colour of "Cherry-red" looks like ??...Well it's NOT the bright Red that some operators use but more like the boundary colours of Mr H's website...ie}--- Darker than you'd think, maybe ??...........Make sure you have a large enough container to take the whole gasket in one go and use clean, cold water to quench in.....Remove when cold, dry and remove any remaining Black oxides with some medium emery cloth.....If you see "sparklers" coming from the hot Copper then you have just burnt ( Oxidised ) it....SCRAP is all that's good for now..