Head Removal: Tips 'n Tricks

[alexiskai]

Originally Posted by '29 Pickup

Do you consider copper spray on the gasket to be unnecessary snake oil or useful to help get a good seal?

The purpose of copper spray is to compensate for small imperfections in the finish of the mating surface. If one or both components are being assembled without having just been professionally surfaced, using copper gasket spray on that side of the gasket may improve the seal.

So for example when I put a brand new head on an engine, if the block hasn't just been decked, I would do a light coat of copper spray on the side of the gasket that goes against the block, but not on the side facing the head.

(Unless the manufacturer of the head specified that you should do that. Always follow vendor instructions.)

Copper spray will not correct for a warped surface.