head gasket

[roadkill]

when i took off my head instead of a gasket there was a copper plate gasket thing not a gasket and i was wondering what this is and what it does and if it is reusable with a new top end

 

[brandoz28]

that is the gasket. just get a new one, it'll come with your top end kit

 

[98blaster+4]

yup its a copper gasket and can NOT be reused. once its squished its been squished.

 

[fioz600r]

What they said^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

 

[brandoz28]

technically you can anneal it and reuse it, however getting a new one is just a good idea

 

[98blaster+4]

whaddya mean anneal?

 

[71dodge]

yep the gasket takes the shape of the head and after you loosen it up its ruined there only 8 bucks anyways

 

[brandoz28]

i mean you heat it up until it starts to change color with like a butane torch and then put it into water to cool it....it'll pop back in to shape

 

[Brute71]

i mean you heat it up until it starts to change color with like a butane torch and then put it into water to cool it....it'll pop back in to shape

that would be hardening it, you dont want that. The heating up part is correct tho, you just let it cool down in the air (no assistance). This will make it soft again and will conform to the mating surfaces when torqued down.

 

[brandoz28]

you're right^^^just let it cool down slow. but for what a new one costs....i wouldn't do it unless i was in a pinch

 

[Brute71]

im running an annealed one in my blaster right now, no problems so far (knocks on wood)