[Fot] Best Head Gasket

[Jack Wheeler]

 I've read all of the comments, but haven't heard anything about Cometic.  I had rebuilt my TR-3 engine a number of years ago, using the stock head gasket.  I built the engine as I would have built one of my race engines in the day, except with a milder cam and less compression (10.5:1).  From day 1 it never really ran right.  I began to suspect coolant was getting into the combustion chamber, so I bought one of those test kits where you pull some coolant out while the engine is running and add a chemical which tests for hydrocarbons.  Sure enough, hydrocarbons were getting into my coolant system.  That says bad head gasket or crack in the head.  Since I'd had the head magnafluxed during the rebuild, I assumed it was the head gasket.
I began asking around about where I could get a good gasket.  A guy at a local engine shop (primarily Ford engines) recommended Cometic.  I had never heard of them, and told him the engine was over 50 years old, so surely they would not make a gasket for it.  He encouraged me to check the internet, and sure enough, they make a whole bunch of them for the TR engine.  It's been a few years ago, but as I recall, they had gaskets for different bores (i.e. 83MM, 86MM, 87MM, etc.) and you could order different thicknesses.  They stacked steel gaskets on top of each other to get to the thickness desired.  I think I ordered a 3 layer gasket.  It all sounded a little fishy, but based on the strong recommendation I had received, I ordered one.
I removed the bad head gasket and replaced it with the Cometic gasket, and suddenly the engine ran great.  I have put almost 7.000 miles on the car since then and haven't had a problem.  It runs cool (even on 95 degree days, as tested recently), pulls strong, and no sign of any coolant leaks.  By the way, I noticed someone else recommended Hylomar gasket cement.  I also used that.  A light coat on all sealing surfaces does the trick.  Do not spray a thick coat.  Below is the link to the Cometic web site.  Check it out.

Cometic Gasket - Sealed Under Extreme Pressure

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Cometic Gasket - Sealed Under Extreme Pressure

Cometic Gasket supplies hi-performance gaskets for a variety of motorsports markets: ATV, Drag Race, Domestic Au...
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Jack




    On Friday, July 31, 2020, 5:27:49 PM EDT, mleccese1--- via Fot <fot at autox.team.net> wrote:  
 
 Phil, Dave,
I may have compromised my head gasket last weekend at Lime Rock (Green TR4 #802), can you or someone recommend one that is robust.
Thank youMichael L
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