[Land-speed] Copper head gaskets

[drmayf]

Wow, this is getting interesting, lol. I now have a half dozen emails of 
some sort or another that indicate  I must possibly have been doing 
something stupidly wrong! From surface finishes, to torque, to thread 
lube, to phase of the moon I guess.  By the way folks, I didn't ask for 
help here, I just made two comments on what my experiences with Cometic 
MLS gaskets and  SCE ICS Titan head gaskets have been.  I am happy with 
my setup. YMMV! Go pick on some one else please!  And I am trying to 
understand the old technology vs new technology gimmick. If it works, it 
works, lol. Age of the idea or technique, if it works, doesn't matter! 

Rick, yes, I use ARP thread lubricant on everything in the motor: head 
studs, main bearings, rods. I torque in small steps letting the system 
rest a bit between each round. I come back later and retorque.  When I 
am at the final stage of torque I use a very small hammer to ping the 
fastner.. Why? Threads have siction (sticky friction) even when lubed up 
and small pinging   releases the friction. Then I retorque again. I do 
this on the final torque until nothing changes and that actually takes a 
few rounds or retorque.   After a heat cycle I retorque.  So what have I 
missed? Again, I did no task for help here. I only commented on my 
experiences. 

So get a life folk!

mayf


Rick Byrnes wrote:

> Mayf
> did you use the ARP lubricant on the threads.  There is a significant 
> difference in clamp load with other lubes.  Fel-Pro and ARP had a 
> little battle about this some time ago.  Neither really won, but 
> highest clamp load without plastic deformation of the stud, and no 
> failure of any other component is what we are after.  But then you 
> know that so I'm just preaching......Ok I'll stop.
>
> The OLD steel shim gaskets that John spoke of is still a good gasket, 
> and in principal is at the basis of the MLS gaskets.  Precision 
> embossing make them even more consistent than in the past.  Like you 
> John I used lots of them in another life and they worked ok.  Our 
> acceptance of "leaks" fluid or gaseous has changed over the years and 
> the new designs are where it's at.
>
> I still say that most race engine leakage of compression gasses is due 
> to detonation or cylinder head lift.  If you had it machined to spec, 
> I'll bet a six pack of Labatts that you had a brief excursion into 
> detonation.  Easy to do with race type engine calibrations.
>
> But, if you found what works, use it.  Until it doesn't.
>
> Rick