Along w/ the other gremlins I'm chasing down is the ever present running hot issue. (Yes I have a good aluminum radiator, hi-cfm electric fan, etc.) I now have new head gaskets to (eventually) put on - hopefully that will cure my woes. And ,per advice on the forum, I also purchased spray on copper-coating to apply to the head gaskets. Questions: How much is enough? One coating? Two? Entire small spray can? Can you have too much? (Edit: Sorry guys - I started this thread specifically on the question of the copper-coating but I should have put it on my previous head gasket thread - just dummied out...)
I always used 2 coats. First coat is more of a good tack coat. Second coat in a thick coat but no thick enough to make the paint run. Instead of copper I use hi-temp silver.
X2 make sur the surface of block and heads REALLY clean. then one tack coat, let set for a few minutes then another thicker coat.
Is there a reason for the coating? Ive never used any in my head swaps. And all of them are still running fine. But if it works better ill do it from now on.
The only reason I prefer paint to Copper Kote is that Copper Kote is rubber cement with the metalic powder in it. Rubber cement doesn't like heat or pressure. It may not be an issue but it just doesn't fit with my way of thinking. It is also a lot more expensive than paint.
Once I pull the heads I'm taking them to be checked. But sounds like we have a controversy stirring for paint vs. coprcote...???
Yeah,Iv'e also been used to putting nothing on them. I'm sure in a racing application things are different,but Iv'e always been told just clean the block and head surface well,and put it together.
No, both have been used for years - it is just personal preference. I like the "Silver Chrome" metalic paint because it is the highest metalic content of all the ones I have tried. I couldn't say it worked any better than any of the others but it does cover better. I have used the Copper Kote on some old flat head engines with metal shim gaskets - it seemed to work OK - but there have been those "hard to seal" engines that stayed sealed for longer with paint. That could be the paint or the torque method that I use compared to the methods of others I have worked with. As I said - no controversy - just what has worked for me. Other folk have methods that work as well for them. Some folks like Jaguars and others like Fords - thats why they make so many different cars - tastes vary. There sometimes is no "right" or "wrong" just what works best for the one doing the work.
The rubber cement leaves a residue that is hard to separate from the block/head even with shim type metal gaskets. I haven't had a problem with painted gaskets but then I have only removed a few of them and that was after many 10s of thousands of miles. Why do you ask? Are you planning on removing the heads often?
Reason ? Cheap insurance against another gasket failure. Been going on 6 years now since I bolted the Canfields on my 331. Nary a problem either. That what? $6 can of stuff is expensive ? Not compared to the alternative.
thanks! I thought it had something to do with the aluminum to iron block deal. since ive never done that. But i will have to with my current engine build. Ill try it out!
The aluminum to iron block deal was what made me try it. I had two failures with these heads on a previous build, that and the knowledge of Ford's problems with the 3.8 V6 gasket failures.(same deal, iron block/aluminum heads) I'm sure some of those were due to the owners letting the coolant get too low and the engine getting too hot. But anyhow, it seems to have done the trick. I've inadvertantly let it get too hot many times (got a manual operated electric fan on the Comet) and it's been to 250-265* lots of times, but the gaskets are holding their own.
I have always used the Fel-Pro Permatorque head gaskets without any coating and never had any problems. I think they even say to not use any coatings with the Permatorque gaskets. I have seen coatings used on copper or steel head gaskets, they won't seal right most of the time unless you do use something. I would check with the maker of your gaskets and see what they reccomend before I used just anything.....
