The Ford Barn

ldj1002 · 08-18-2011, 12:10 PM

I have a copper head gasket and have read back in search about using sealers. I have read about different types along with using none and each had good arguments on each and where they had been used with good results. Back in the 50's as a teenager I worked with old mechanics and their method hasn't been used, or at least I have missed it. They used grease, a thin coat on both sides. We never had leaking head gasket and never had deck or head trued. Were we just lucky or were the gaskets better back then or what? I am leaning toward that method I learned 60 years ago unless some one comes with a definite no no and why. Any input appreciated.

AL in NY · 08-18-2011, 12:33 PM

I always have used the copper spray gasket sealer on the copper gasket, but after observing how clogged my Gano filter got after using the spray, I'm re-thinking that approach. It was the first time I used the Gano screen filter, having just had my radiator re-cored. I'm glad that sticky goo didn't get into the radiator. I will say, I've never had a head gasket fail using the copper spray. I have always applied it in two thin coats on both sides of the gasket, so I don't think I applied too much.

Bruce Adams · 08-18-2011, 01:07 PM

With my newly rebuilt engine I was told to add BARS LEAK HEAD SEALER which I did and it appears to work.

JohnW · 08-18-2011, 02:23 PM

My Dad is 82 years old and the only thing he will use when he puts a head gasket on a model a is wheel bearing grease. Like you did, he spreads a film of grease on both sides and installs it. I asked him why not use something else and he said, "it has worked for 70 years, why change?" He started working on A model cars and trucks in the thirties so I guess he has a pretty good track record.

Dick M · 08-18-2011, 02:23 PM

I installed a Snyder 5.5 head using the felpro gasket and it wept after every drive. I installed another felpro gasket and it wept as well.
I then went to the stock copper head gasket and applied a thin coat of axel grease to both sides of the gasket. I now have over 8,000 on the new head with no leaks or weaps. (the side benefit is the next time you remove the head it will eaisly separate from the block)

redmodelt · 08-18-2011, 08:43 PM

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I am with the greasers!

Jim/GA · 08-18-2011, 11:43 PM

Larry Brumfield advises a thin coat of wheel bearing grease on both sides of a FelPro gasket on his HC heads. I did that after the last valve job and had no weeping on the head gasket.

Kurt in NJ · 08-19-2011, 08:04 AM

I used Hylomar on the headgasket on my Smiths compressor, it was used when I put it together the first time, 15 years later I had to take it apart to fix the rusted valve seats, I Hylomared it again, no leaks --even using antifreeze.

hylomar is the modern "hi-tech" replacement for Indian Head gasket shellack

Greasing a new gasket is good, makes it easy to take apart, you have a good chance at reusing it.

08-18-2011, 12:10 PM	#1
ldj1002 Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2011 Posts: 181	Head gasket sealer I have a copper head gasket and have read back in search about using sealers. I have read about different types along with using none and each had good arguments on each and where they had been used with good results. Back in the 50's as a teenager I worked with old mechanics and their method hasn't been used, or at least I have missed it. They used grease, a thin coat on both sides. We never had leaking head gasket and never had deck or head trued. Were we just lucky or were the gaskets better back then or what? I am leaning toward that method I learned 60 years ago unless some one comes with a definite no no and why. Any input appreciated.

08-18-2011, 12:33 PM	#2
AL in NY Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Southern Upstate New York Posts: 1,209	Re: Head gasket sealer I always have used the copper spray gasket sealer on the copper gasket, but after observing how clogged my Gano filter got after using the spray, I'm re-thinking that approach. It was the first time I used the Gano screen filter, having just had my radiator re-cored. I'm glad that sticky goo didn't get into the radiator. I will say, I've never had a head gasket fail using the copper spray. I have always applied it in two thin coats on both sides of the gasket, so I don't think I applied too much. __________________ AL in NY

08-18-2011, 01:07 PM	#3
Bruce Adams Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Northport, NY Posts: 1,597	Re: Head gasket sealer With my newly rebuilt engine I was told to add BARS LEAK HEAD SEALER which I did and it appears to work.

08-18-2011, 02:23 PM	#4
JohnW Member Join Date: Aug 2010 Posts: 37	Re: Head gasket sealer My Dad is 82 years old and the only thing he will use when he puts a head gasket on a model a is wheel bearing grease. Like you did, he spreads a film of grease on both sides and installs it. I asked him why not use something else and he said, "it has worked for 70 years, why change?" He started working on A model cars and trucks in the thirties so I guess he has a pretty good track record.

08-18-2011, 02:23 PM	#5
Dick M Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Ukiah, CA Posts: 510	Re: Head gasket sealer I installed a Snyder 5.5 head using the felpro gasket and it wept after every drive. I installed another felpro gasket and it wept as well. I then went to the stock copper head gasket and applied a thin coat of axel grease to both sides of the gasket. I now have over 8,000 on the new head with no leaks or weaps. (the side benefit is the next time you remove the head it will eaisly separate from the block)

08-18-2011, 08:43 PM	#6
redmodelt Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Portland OR Posts: 6,408	Re: Head gasket sealer Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) I am with the greasers!

08-18-2011, 11:43 PM	#7
Jim/GA Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Young Harris, GA Posts: 1,964	Re: Head gasket sealer Larry Brumfield advises a thin coat of wheel bearing grease on both sides of a FelPro gasket on his HC heads. I did that after the last valve job and had no weeping on the head gasket. __________________ Jim Cannon Former MAFCA Technical Director "Spread the Joy! Have a Model A day!"

08-19-2011, 08:04 AM	#8
Kurt in NJ Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: on the Littlefield Posts: 6,554	Re: Head gasket sealer I used Hylomar on the headgasket on my Smiths compressor, it was used when I put it together the first time, 15 years later I had to take it apart to fix the rusted valve seats, I Hylomared it again, no leaks --even using antifreeze. hylomar is the modern "hi-tech" replacement for Indian Head gasket shellack Greasing a new gasket is good, makes it easy to take apart, you have a good chance at reusing it.