[Alpines] Head gasket

[Andy Walker]

Rocco:

You didn't say in your e-mail whether or not you did the water jacket 
pass-through modification on your head gasket.  I'm assuming that you didn't 
and, running that kind of compression, I'm not surprised at all that you're 
blowing head gaskets.  I"m assuming you're blowing the compression ring out 
between the water jackets, right?  Due to the design of the head and the 
gasket in that area, the head gasket is inherently weak there and, under 
racing stresses, will fail with alarming regularity.

First of all, there's no need to o-ring the block.  That's expensive and 
probably won't solve your problem.  As far as sealers go, a good dose of 
CopperCoat is about as good as you can get.  Assuming you're using that, 
then you're in good shape there.

Now, for the fix.  There's two ways to go about getting this to quit 
happening.  First, contact Mr. Dunst at Gasket Works USA, LLC 
http://www.headgasket.com/ .  He has the proper template and can make you a 
solid copper gasket in the thickness of your choice with water passage 
"holes" that match the water jacket holes in the block instead of the long 
curved opening that the stock gasket has to match the head.  Just doing this 
alone will give the gasket the strength it needs to stand up to the big 
compression number you're running.  The way the head is made will still 
allow the water to circulate above the gasket between the water jacket holes 
in the head.  Okay...that's fix #1.

Fix #2, if you want to go all the way with it, is to have that recessed area 
between the water jackets in the head welded up and machined flat.  This 
will give maximum strength to the new copper head gasket in the water jacket 
area.  Almost every serious Sunbeam racer has done either one or both of 
these modifications.  Personally, I put the copper head gasket on my car but 
did not do the head modification.  I was going to but my head has already 
been shaved to the point of no return.  However, you can bet that the next 
head I build will have that modification done to it right off the bat.

If you contact Mr. Dunst at Gasket Works, just tell him that Andy Walker 
with the Sunbeam in Edmond, OK sent you and tell him what you need.  I'm 
sure he'll fix you right up.  You may contact me anytime if you need further 
info or help.

Thanks and good luck,
Andy

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Moto" <mototron at optonline.net>
To: "alpines" <alpines at autox.team.net>
Sent: Sunday, September 21, 2008 8:26 PM
Subject: [Alpines] Head gasket


> Hello
>    I am vintage racing a series II alpine
> with a bored and stroked 1725 engine
> it has 12.5/1 compression
> with 7/16s  head studs
> I keep on blowing head gaskets  in to the watre jackets
> I am using a custom made copper head gasket  by cometic
> the motor is 0 decked and the head is straight
>
> Any suggestions on head gaskets or different sealers to use
> I was thinking of O ringing the block next
> I only  got 2  races at NJ  this weekend before it started  Leak
> into cylinder 2
>
> Thanks
>  Rocco
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