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Copper Head Gaskets

5K views 15 replies 7 participants last post by  RI-GravelyMod 
#1 ·
What is your experiences using copper head gaskets?

I have one to install on a 7.6 & will anneal it before installation. Will torque to specs.

Good or bad, like to hear what has happened….

Thanks.
 

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#3 ·
Where did you get the copper gasket?

Approximate price?

Have only seen the metal/fiber composite type and the fiber/mesh type.

I bought this off ebay a while back. The ebay seller still offers hundreds of copper gaskets but not L model. If this one works it may be worth contacting him.

Paid about $24.

I tried the aftermarket gaskets, but you have to replace them each time you remove the head.

Will post results......
 
#5 ·
I have been curious about this for years. I just never have bought one to try. The new fiber ones are total crap in my eyes.

Please do post the results and keep us posted
 
#6 ·
I, too, am very interested in this! The last head gasket I purchased was purportedly out of a 'improved material' but I am less than impressed - it is way too stiff and I had some sealing issues from the get-go. I looked for some sheet copper earlier in hopes of fabricating my own but it was cost prohibitive...
 
#7 ·
Research used & found 2 major requirements, flatness and cleanliness is required above the normal rebuilding / tune-up requirements.

Of the (3) 7.6 heads I have, the one that was on the jug before rebuild is the best fit for flatness.

The other two heads rocked back & forth on the jug. The gap was about .008 around the center of the head (piston area). It was a surprise the warp & rocking was forward to rear direction on the jug.

Currently working to clean seating surface on head & jug. Objective is to have it as close as possible to new where you see the original mill marks.

I am at least a month out before the initial run. Need to order more parts……
 
#8 ·
I have had 6.6 and a 7.6 heads resurfaced as a matter of course on the two engines I am currently working on: 0.010" off the 6.6 head and 0.065" or so off the 7.6 head. The cylinders/jugs tend not to be so critical I believe because of the mass of the part compared to the heads which with the 6.6 are really pretty thin. I am using a copper coat gasket spray on the composite gaskets since you have to replace them each time anyway and if I can get a copper gasket, most surely would use a sealer of some type with them. If you have to do a valve job I would also recommend a light surfacing on the jug too, just to clean things up and give the valve cutter a new surface to start from.
 
#12 ·
The cylinder and head are really good heat sinks. They'll keep the copper well below its melting point.

My air-cooled airplane engine produces exhaust temperatures approaching 1500F, but the head temps rarely get close to 400.
 
#13 ·
Fired up & ran today on the second pull. Runs like a new 7.6.
Ran for about 15 minutes and after cooling down I retorqued the head bolts. Only two turned, they were just outside of the center bolts.

I have to repair the swifty pivot pin in the axle assembly. Axles did not want to turn. Pivot pin is bent, recall this tractor was a non runner ready for parts…..

This is what I did to prep for the copper gasket:

Clean gasket seating surface on jug. You will see the mill markings when clean.
Check flatness of head and cylinder deck, I had to have the head ground
Clean bolt threads in jug. Used starter & bottom taps.
Anneal the copper gasket and then clean gasket with steel wool.
Use brake cleaner on cooper gasket, head, and cylinder deck.
Clean items multiple times till you have a clean rag drying them.
Measured threaded hole in jug, was about ¾”.
Check thread protrusion after inserting bolt in head with gasket on the bench.
I found with stock bolts the protrusion was a 3/8”, I discarded them and installed 1 ½” bolts.
Torqued head bolts to 25 ftlbs IAW 1970 CSD.
Ran engine for about 15 minutes and let it cool
Retorqued head bolts at 25 ftlbs.
Will run & retorque 2 more times.
 

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#15 ·
I'd buy them again. Mine was purchased from "Copper Gaskets Unlimited" who sold them on ebay.

You should be able to reuse them, just have to anneal & clean.

Attached is a few pics.....
 

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#16 ·
I have 10 hours of use on this engine, past 3 hours I have run it without holding back. WOT & midrange mowing the yard with the CI-8 & kidney deck. Thick tall grass for up to one hour runtime. Copper gasket is holding and I anticipate no issues in the future. :tango_face_grin:

Will continue updating the post.....
RB in RI
 
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