triumphs
[Top] [All Lists]

Re: TR3 Shim Steel Head Gasket Problems

To: "Bob Kramer" <rgk@flash.net>, <triumphs@Autox.Team.Net>
Subject: Re: TR3 Shim Steel Head Gasket Problems
From: "Stuart/Jo Bollen" <StuartB-Jo@worldnet.att.net>
Date: Sun, 23 Mar 1997 12:31:23 -0500
Cc: <fot@Autox.Team.Net>
Bob,or anyone else, when I was in Canada several years ago I bought a very
expensive head gasket for my ex TR3. Its copper/asbestos,but the copper is
completely rolled over on all the edges so the asbestos isn't visible. The
only thing thats stamped on it is AC510. If you or anyone else wants it,
you can have it for $10. I paid $30 Canadian for it.I will pay shipping.
Stuartb@voicenet.com

Stuart B.
'74 TR6 & '80 TR8

----------
> From: Bob Kramer <rgk@flash.net>
> To: triumphs@autox.team.net
> Cc: fot@autox.team.net
> Subject: TR3 Shim Steel Head Gasket Problems
> Date: Saturday, March 22, 1997 5:38 PM
> 
> I finally got around to put the finishing touches on my rebuilt TR3 motor
> and started it last weekend. Ran it up to temp even though I noticed oil
> leaking from the oil feed tube to the cylinder head and at the fitting
for
> the oil pressure gauge. Runs great. That was the good news. I shut it
down
> when I noticed the oil on the dipstick getting tell tale signs of
> water....turning whitish.
> 
> I let it cool for a hour and drained the radiator and oil, and refilled
it
> with fresh oil and restarted long enough to move the fresh oil around the
> important places. 
> 
> Today I pulled the head.  I used the shim steel gasket from BFE,
> appropriately opened up for milled head, with thin wire circled around
the
> combustion chamber. I'm wondering what went wrong.  I've never used one
of
> these gaskets before, and I'm wondering if I faced it the wrong way. The
> wire I used was not near as compressed as I expected based on my
> hammer/arbor test.  Then again, the stamped ridges in the gasket weren't
> either. I'm sure I got the torque setting right, but I found the head nut
> too easy too remove. I didn't run it very long.  
> 
> QUESTIONS:
> Can I reuse this gasket, uncompressed as it is?
> Should I use smaller wire, say from stranded copper electrical wiring?
> Should I spray the gasket with some sealant before using?
> Which way is up? 
> How much compression do I loss using a copper gasket?
> Is that easier-less risky?
> 
> And the big one, should I pull it and tear it down, or replace and run?
> Thanks in advance!
> 
> Bob Kramer, Austin TX
> Hill Country Triumph Club
> TR6x3, TR250 x3, TR3A vintage race
> rgk@flash.net

<Prev in Thread] Current Thread [Next in Thread>