The Ford Barn

P.S. · 12-08-2014, 10:25 PM

Please don't laugh at me, I am still trying to learn here.

So, when using the copper style head gaskets, I see in previous threads recommendations from copper coat to grease and everything in between. Most of the knowledgeable people seem to recommend the copper coat spray.

In my line of work (radio communications and engineering), whenever we have dissimilar metals in contact with each other, especially in the presence of moisture, we use Penetrox on the joints. It's like a zinc grease that keeps the dissimilar metals from reacting.

So....

Since a Model A motor and head are both cast iron, and the head gasket is copper, why wouldn't we use Penetrox or a similar product? Or, am I reading too much into this? Is there no problem with the copper sandwiched between the cast iron block and head?

Flathead · 12-08-2014, 10:50 PM

I don't know of any problems with cast iron and copper. Aluminum is another story.

Mike V. Florida · 12-08-2014, 11:52 PM

While there is galvanic action between the head and gasket it is small and takes a great amount of time to corrode the iron. We as owners often remove the heads several time over the lifetime of the engine and when rebuilt the head and block are leveled, cleaning the corrosion.

P.S. · 12-09-2014, 05:23 PM

Excellent. Thank you both!

PC/SR · 12-09-2014, 06:34 PM

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I wondered the same thing, putting copper coat on gaskets for an aluminum head. Have taken the head off a few times and not had a problem in 4 years. I talked to a Tech guy at copper coat and he had not heard of any problems.

12-08-2014, 10:25 PM	#1
P.S. Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2012 Location: California Posts: 1,688	Head gasket- Why not Penetrox? Please don't laugh at me, I am still trying to learn here. So, when using the copper style head gaskets, I see in previous threads recommendations from copper coat to grease and everything in between. Most of the knowledgeable people seem to recommend the copper coat spray. In my line of work (radio communications and engineering), whenever we have dissimilar metals in contact with each other, especially in the presence of moisture, we use Penetrox on the joints. It's like a zinc grease that keeps the dissimilar metals from reacting. So.... Since a Model A motor and head are both cast iron, and the head gasket is copper, why wouldn't we use Penetrox or a similar product? Or, am I reading too much into this? Is there no problem with the copper sandwiched between the cast iron block and head?

12-08-2014, 10:50 PM	#2
Flathead Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Southern Maine Posts: 1,497	Re: Head gasket- Why not Penetrox? I don't know of any problems with cast iron and copper. Aluminum is another story.

12-08-2014, 11:52 PM	#3
Mike V. Florida Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: South Florida Posts: 14,054	Re: Head gasket- Why not Penetrox? While there is galvanic action between the head and gasket it is small and takes a great amount of time to corrode the iron. We as owners often remove the heads several time over the lifetime of the engine and when rebuilt the head and block are leveled, cleaning the corrosion. __________________ What's right about America is that although we have a mess of problems, we have great capacity - intellect and resources - to do some thing about them. - Henry Ford II

12-09-2014, 05:23 PM	#4
P.S. Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2012 Location: California Posts: 1,688	Re: Head gasket- Why not Penetrox? Excellent. Thank you both!

12-09-2014, 06:34 PM	#5
PC/SR Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Santa Rosa, CA Posts: 1,278	Re: Head gasket- Why not Penetrox? Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) I wondered the same thing, putting copper coat on gaskets for an aluminum head. Have taken the head off a few times and not had a problem in 4 years. I talked to a Tech guy at copper coat and he had not heard of any problems.