Head Gaskets

[a_disalvo]

Got the new S&S heads painted ( used HD textured paint $21.55/can !!! ) and ground the perimeter of the fins for that "special" look. Reading the extra sheet thrown in with the heads about the copper head gaskets S&S, recommends using " Gasgacinch" on both sides of the copper gasket and also on the head and the cylinder top. I was going to just use copper seal on both sides of the gasket. I have a full can of copper seal on my shelf. What do the builders use Thanks, Frank

[rbabos]

Got the new S&S heads painted ( used HD textured paint $21.55/can !!! ) and ground the perimeter of the fins for that "special" look. Reading the extra sheet thrown in with the heads about the copper head gaskets S&S, recommends using " Gasgacinch" on both sides of the copper gasket and also on the head and the cylinder top. I was going to just use copper seal on both sides of the gasket. I have a full can of copper seal on my shelf. What do the builders use Thanks, Frank

By no means a shovelhead expert buy why copper head gaskets? They would not be my first choice.
Ron

[HotRodShovel]

My first choice for head gaskets would be Cometic MLS.  Used them many times and always a success. They come in a couple of different thicknesses so  you have room to move.  Outstanding product.  Their metal base gaskets on the other hand suck..imho of course.

[76shuvlinoff]

My first choice for head gaskets would be Cometic MLS.  Used them many times and always a success. They come in a couple of different thicknesses so  you have room to move.  Outstanding product.  Their metal base gaskets on the other hand suck..imho of course.

this ^

[Burnout]

What do the builders use Thanks, Frank

COMETIC

or Copper in a pinch

I will not use fiber gaskets as they do not conduct heat

[HotRodShovel]

I have to add re: Cometic MLS, as good as they are, the instructions say that re-torquing after heat cycles is not necessary....CROCK.   If you use them, re-torque them as you would any other gasket.  Can't understand why Cometic would put that into their tech sheets but.....I would not let that prevent me from using them.  Great head gaskets...MLS...

[crock]

Someone call my name? 

[a_disalvo]

Found a set of blue James big bore gaskets in my stash, I was was using them with the stock heads. Never had a problem. Posted about the copper because that is what S&S supplied with the new heads!! Frank

[rkrcpa]

I have to add re: Cometic MLS, as good as they are, the instructions say that re-torquing after heat cycles is not necessary....CROCK.   If you use them, re-torque them as you would any other gasket.  Can't understand why Cometic would put that into their tech sheets but.....I would not let that prevent me from using them.  Great head gaskets...MLS...

I made that mistake and they let go in less than a mile, switched back to copper, and yes, I used gasgacinch.

[76shuvlinoff]

I replaced the copper head gaskets on my S&S long block with cometic MLS somewhere in the neighborhood of 10-11 years ago.  Retorqued as I would any head gasket.  Not a drop since.

[Wiseguy]

I've been using copper head gaskets on my S&S heads since about 1996, and on my new Ultima Shovel heads. K&W Coppercoat on all surfaces. Haven't retorqued copper, but I would on any other composition. I run pretty high compression, and nothing has ever leaked out of my head gasket area. Other areas, maybe a tiny bit of weeping, but not enough to justify tearing down to address it.

Bill

[rbabos]

I've been using copper head gaskets on my S&S heads since about 1996, and on my new Ultima Shovel heads. K&W Coppercoat on all surfaces. Haven't retorqued copper, but I would on any other composition. I run pretty high compression, and nothing has ever leaked out of my head gasket area. Other areas, maybe a tiny bit of weeping, but not enough to justify tearing down to address it.

Bill

That's odd. If any gasket can get away without a re-torque it would be the MLS as there's nothing to really compress in them. The amount of Viton yield is insignificant beyond the initial torque sequence. New copper on the other hand will yield from heat cycles after first torquing.
Ron

[Wiseguy]

Your thoughts definitely have merit. Copper head gaskets most likely can vary in hardness, depending on the supplier. S&S and Cometic copper head gaskets might be harder than a set that you might heat to re-use. I know that aluminum sheets turn into almost butter when heated.
If you haven't used a particular supplier's non-ferrous head gaskets before, it would be wise to retorque after heat cycling the motor unless you have a Webster gauge to establish hardness degree. I used to use one in the past to verify aluminum patio door hardness at he shop I worked at in the seventies. There are probably better instruments available now than the ones we used back then. Ours was a pair of grips with a calibrated point and a dial that measured the point penetration to assess hardness.

Bill

[HotRodShovel]

Cometic MLS several times with great success.  And I always re-torque if for no other reason just to know they are tight.

[Hillside Motorcycle]

The re-torque sequence apply's to graphite or fiber gaskets, as a Cometic MLS EST gasket will not compress any more, once torqued.
Never hurts to re-check, however.

[Dogbone45ACP]

Scott, what do you like for head gaskets? I 'm out of the loop for shovels.....Thank you. Sam

[Hillside Motorcycle]

We use mostly Cometic anymore.
Gone are the days of James blue Teflon gaskets.

[Dogbone45ACP]

Thank you.

[HotRodShovel]

We use mostly Cometic anymore.
Gone are the days of James blue Teflon gaskets.

I like it when a pro agrees with me. I feel like after all the money and wrong parts and proceedures I pissed away, the light switch may have finally gone on!!!