Gaskets

[captndan]

The water outlet casting on the head calls for a 'paper thin' gasket. Why not just use a heavy sealant without the gasket? Is the gasket needed for proper torque on the bolts? I ask because a thick gasket caused a broken casting on the 30.

[Tom Wesenberg]

NEVER use a paper gasket. They are famous for breaking the ears.

I've never broken an ear when using the original style copper gasket, and I've never broken an ear when using NO gasket. Make sure the surface is flat, then use a thin coat of sealant.

For a points car use the copper gasket.

[V4F]

I use a thin gasket & my water outlet is aluminum . gasket & sealer , never a problem .

[Bob Bidonde]

A thick gasket will produce a bending stress across the bolts attaching the neck. A thin gasket not only seals, but it does not promote bending in the neck. Use a thin one-layer gasket. Make sure that the mating surfaces are flat.

[Tom Wesenberg]

Thanks Vince.
That's exactly what was on my engine for many years and was working fine until I bolted on my aluminum test plate. The aluminum bent enough to destroy the outer end of the gasket and that's why the cast iron ear broke the other day.

[JohnLaVoy]

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I always just use the sealant never had a problem.

[BILL WILLIAMSON]

I use a gasket, cut from a BROWN paper bag & a slight smear of silicone sealer.
Once, I was under Minervas' hood, when she had the THICK gasket & the neck broke, sounding like a .22 going off, WATER everywhere & scared the crap out of me!!!!
Bill Shaking

[H. L. Chauvin]

Many non-believers will not like to hear what we were advised by professional vintage mechanics, even if it did work for years, over and over, as to what to use for making water outlet and inlet gaskets as well as carburetor to manifold gaskets.

We successfully made these gaskets with the gray cardboard found on bottoms shoe boxes; then covered both sides, and the metal surfaces with a thin uniform layer of non-hardening "Permatex No. 2".

Like trying Aspirin for a headache ...... you cannot describe how well it works it until you experience the effects.

[diomed]

Originally Posted by captndan

The water outlet casting on the head calls for a 'paper thin' gasket. Why not just use a heavy sealant without the gasket? Is the gasket needed for proper torque on the bolts? I ask because a thick gasket caused a broken casting on the 30.

I used black RTV silicone only; no other gasket. It's working like a charm so far.

Sent from my Nexus 6P using Tapatalk

[captndan]

Originally Posted by BILL WILLIAMSON

I use a gasket, cut from a BROWN paper bag & a slight smear of silicone sealer.
Once, I was under Minervas' hood, when she had the THICK gasket & the neck broke, sounding like a .22 going off, WATER everywhere & scared the crap out of me!!!!
Bill Shaking

Word for word what happened to me and the reason for this post.