The Ford Barn

flathead4rd · 10-27-2024, 08:04 PM

Just putting my 8-BA back together and was wondering about copper head gaskets and Aluminum heads. I am concerned with electrolysis between the two different metals. Also having a hard time finding big bore gaskets. I'm 3-3/8"X 4-1/16 or 396 CI"s. Seems everyone is out of copper but will go with Felpro and copper spray if necessary. Thanks in advance for your opinions. As a side note. I'm running a Potvin Cam that is stamped 410. Can't find any info on it so I am assuming that is the lift.

deuce lover · 10-28-2024, 10:57 AM

Best graphite head gaskets and I sprayed on Permatex copper coat sealer is what I used.That 410 lift is a 3/8 Super.Had one in my 4 inch stroke 59AB motor in a 36 coupe. Can't tell you more except it ran like a scared rabbit.

GB SISSON · 10-28-2024, 11:04 AM

Call Sandy Olsen at Olsen's Gaskets. They specialize in gaskets for vintage vehicles. I bought big bore copper head gaskets from him about six months ago, but had the choice of comp too. As far as aluminum heads with copper gaskets, that's a subject on it's own.

tubman · 10-28-2024, 11:09 AM

I only use grease and composite head gaskets (usually Fel-Pro). It is my opinion that if the head and bock surfaces are properly prepared (flat and smooth) and the proper fasteners are used, there will be no sealing problems. Given the galvanic problems already present with aluminum heads and a cast iron block, I don't really like to introduce a third metal (copper). Using a sealer usually renders the gaskets difficult to remove and easily susceptible to damage. With the price of gaskets these days (and given that I'm a cheap bastard), reusing head gaskets can be a real money saver, especially when you are "experimenting". I have done it successfully many times over the years.

wga · 10-28-2024, 01:09 PM

https://bestgasket.com/ford-big-bore/

flathead4rd · 10-28-2024, 01:25 PM

Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements)

Thanks for your input. Sounds like a good plan.

Tim Ayers · 10-28-2024, 01:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by deuce lover

Best graphite head gaskets and I sprayed on Permatex copper coat sealer is what I used.That 410 lift is a 3/8 Super.Had one in my 4 inch stroke 59AB motor in a 36 coupe. Can't tell you more except it ran like a scared rabbit.

Deuce Lover, the Potvin 3/8ths is .375" lift. The OP's cam sounds like it could be the Climax which is advertised at .400" lift.

Please note that copper spray is great, but it is really like a glue. You will not be able to reuse the gaskets if you use the copper spray.

I've had great luck using multiple coats of silver rattle can paint on the gaskets.

deuce lover · 10-28-2024, 02:16 PM

Tim, I wish I had kept the paperwork with that 3/8 Super but 410 was written on the tag with that cam so was going by that.Thanks, Sheldon

Tim Ayers · 10-28-2024, 02:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by deuce lover

Tim, I wish I had kept the paperwork with that 3/8 Super but 410 was written on the tag with that cam so was going by that.Thanks, Sheldon

No problem, Sheldon. Anything is possible and I believe you.

My 3/8ths was ground by Bill Jenks when he was still at Moon.

Tim

Bored&Stroked · 10-28-2024, 03:20 PM

I have used quite a few Potvin 3/8's (favorite cam for bigger bore street engines) - as well as the 425 Eliminator. I have a Climax 400 . . . have never seen a Potvin Super 3/8's - with 410 lift . . . would LOVE to have one! Anybody have one laying around?

deuce lover · 10-28-2024, 03:53 PM

Tim, I believe that that cam came from Moon and was in the Dave Enmark collection I sold off in 2007 for his widow after he passed.

Tim Ayers · 10-28-2024, 04:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bored&Stroked

I have used quite a few Potvin 3/8's (favorite cam for bigger bore street engines) - as well as the 425 Eliminator. I have a Climax 400 . . . have never seen a Potvin Super 3/8's - with 410 lift . . . would LOVE to have one! Anybody have one laying around?

Same with me. Cam would be even better with a little more lift for a bigger motor.

Tim Ayers · 10-28-2024, 04:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by deuce lover

Tim, I believe that that cam came from Moon and was in the Dave Enmark collection I sold off in 2007 for his widow after he passed.

Really interesting.

Flathead Fever · 10-28-2024, 06:31 PM

Copper head gaskets are only used for racing. If you look at a lot of old aluminum heads that ran copper gaskets, they are eaten out from the electrolysis cause by the dissimilar metals, that is why most of the used flathead aluminum heads are junk. Many modern factory engines have cast iron blocks and aluminum heads. I've pulled the heads off of them and the gaskets surfaces look brand new after more than 100,000 miles because of modern composite gaskets and antifreeze. A race flathead does not have a lot of compression like other race engines so copper gaskets are not needed, unless it's some super-duper land speed flathead engine. Edelbrock recommends Felpro composite gaskets with their new heads they sell.

10-27-2024, 08:04 PM	#1
flathead4rd Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Michigan Posts: 583	Head gasket opinion please. Just putting my 8-BA back together and was wondering about copper head gaskets and Aluminum heads. I am concerned with electrolysis between the two different metals. Also having a hard time finding big bore gaskets. I'm 3-3/8"X 4-1/16 or 396 CI"s. Seems everyone is out of copper but will go with Felpro and copper spray if necessary. Thanks in advance for your opinions. As a side note. I'm running a Potvin Cam that is stamped 410. Can't find any info on it so I am assuming that is the lift.

10-28-2024, 10:57 AM	#2
deuce lover Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Rockwall TX Posts: 6,018	Re: Head gasket opinion please. Best graphite head gaskets and I sprayed on Permatex copper coat sealer is what I used.That 410 lift is a 3/8 Super.Had one in my 4 inch stroke 59AB motor in a 36 coupe. Can't tell you more except it ran like a scared rabbit.

10-28-2024, 11:04 AM	#3
GB SISSON Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2014 Location: Orcas Island Washington Posts: 6,202	Re: Head gasket opinion please. Call Sandy Olsen at Olsen's Gaskets. They specialize in gaskets for vintage vehicles. I bought big bore copper head gaskets from him about six months ago, but had the choice of comp too. As far as aluminum heads with copper gaskets, that's a subject on it's own. __________________ Owner/Operator of 'Jailbar Ranch' on the side of Mt. Pickett. Current stable consists of 1946 1/2 ton pickup turned woodie wagon with FH V8, 1946 Tonner Pickup with 226 H six, 1979 Toyota landcruiser wagon, now wearing 1947 Ford Jailbar sheet metal. 'Rusty ol' floorboards, hot on their feet' (Alan Jackson)

10-28-2024, 11:09 AM	#4
tubman Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2013 Location: Minnesota, Florida Keys Posts: 12,136	Re: Head gasket opinion please. I only use grease and composite head gaskets (usually Fel-Pro). It is my opinion that if the head and bock surfaces are properly prepared (flat and smooth) and the proper fasteners are used, there will be no sealing problems. Given the galvanic problems already present with aluminum heads and a cast iron block, I don't really like to introduce a third metal (copper). Using a sealer usually renders the gaskets difficult to remove and easily susceptible to damage. With the price of gaskets these days (and given that I'm a cheap bastard), reusing head gaskets can be a real money saver, especially when you are "experimenting". I have done it successfully many times over the years.

10-28-2024, 01:09 PM	#5
wga Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Yorba Linda, CA Posts: 971	Re: Head gasket opinion please. https://bestgasket.com/ford-big-bore/ __________________ Henry Ford designed the flathead without the aid of a computer.

10-28-2024, 01:25 PM	#6
flathead4rd Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Michigan Posts: 583	Re: Head gasket opinion please. Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) Thanks for your input. Sounds like a good plan.

10-28-2024, 02:16 PM	#8
deuce lover Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Rockwall TX Posts: 6,018	Re: Head gasket opinion please. Tim, I wish I had kept the paperwork with that 3/8 Super but 410 was written on the tag with that cam so was going by that.Thanks, Sheldon

10-28-2024, 03:20 PM	#10
Bored&Stroked Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: Central Ohio Posts: 5,906	Re: Head gasket opinion please. I have used quite a few Potvin 3/8's (favorite cam for bigger bore street engines) - as well as the 425 Eliminator. I have a Climax 400 . . . have never seen a Potvin Super 3/8's - with 410 lift . . . would LOVE to have one! Anybody have one laying around?

10-28-2024, 03:53 PM	#11
deuce lover Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Rockwall TX Posts: 6,018	Re: Head gasket opinion please. Tim, I believe that that cam came from Moon and was in the Dave Enmark collection I sold off in 2007 for his widow after he passed.

10-28-2024, 06:31 PM	#14
Flathead Fever Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Yucaipa, CA Posts: 1,492	Re: Head gasket opinion please. Copper head gaskets are only used for racing. If you look at a lot of old aluminum heads that ran copper gaskets, they are eaten out from the electrolysis cause by the dissimilar metals, that is why most of the used flathead aluminum heads are junk. Many modern factory engines have cast iron blocks and aluminum heads. I've pulled the heads off of them and the gaskets surfaces look brand new after more than 100,000 miles because of modern composite gaskets and antifreeze. A race flathead does not have a lot of compression like other race engines so copper gaskets are not needed, unless it's some super-duper land speed flathead engine. Edelbrock recommends Felpro composite gaskets with their new heads they sell.