Lyon Head welding

[Jerry in Shasta]

I have a early Lyon head. The head gasket does not fit #1 cylinder correctly. The back side if the gasket over laps into the combustion chamber about a 1/8 inch.

The gasket will last about 2000 miles before blowing. The head is not sealing the gasket where it was intended to be held at the fire ring.

We have tried many gaskets, "a" "b" and so on. The Best Gasket Company's copper gasket works the best.

Question, can the in side of the combustion chamber be built-up by welding and resurfaced so that the head and block match and seal properly.

Thanks
JB

[BRENT in 10-uh-C]

Originally Posted by Jerry in Shasta

I have a early Lyon head. The head gasket does not fit #1 cylinder correctly. The back side if the gasket over laps into the combustion chamber about a 1/8 inch.

The gasket will last about 2000 miles before blowing. The head is not sealing the gasket where it was intended to be held at the fire ring.

We have tried many gaskets, "a" "b" and so on. The Best Gasket Company's copper gasket works the best.

Question, can the in side of the combustion chamber be built-up by welding and resurfaced so that the head and block match and seal properly.

Thanks
JB

Sure.

[PC/SR]

Yes. Check for for valve clearance. Then cc the chambers. But I would ask CYapp about why it does not fit before doing anything. I have not heard of this being a problem before.

[just plain bill]

Originally Posted by BRENT in 10-uh-C

Sure.

What welding method would you recommend?

[gz]

I'd put it in a box and send it back to the manufacturer.

[Logan]

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I'd be looking at different gaskets, custom gaskets, before altering the head.

[colin1928]

I think you if contact Charlie he will tell you to use a fire wire the same as when you use 1 of his repo Riley heads

[BRENT in 10-uh-C]

Originally Posted by gz

i'd put it in a box and send it back to the manufacturer.

.

[Jerry in Shasta]

Originally Posted by colin1928

I think you if contact Charlie he will tell you to use a fire wire the same as when you use 1 of his repo Riley heads

FIRE WIRE, I've never used it.
Please explain how to use it, Thanks.

It would not be fair to try to return it. Have had it for several years.
It how ever was a second with a minor exterior casting flaw.

Yes we have tried gasket makers commonly and uncommonly available.

Thanks guys
JB

[Pete]

Yes, it can be welded. After all, we sent some guys to the moon.
You might be better off building a head from scratch with welding rod.

[Ron W]

If it is aluminum, take it to any good tig welder. Have it surfaced after. Ron W

[Ice man]

Cast Iron can be welded with a low heat nickel rod. Had it done, but he was good. Iceman

[modelAsteve]

Some of the early chambers were off due to core shift. He has fixed the problem by machining the chamber. Don't waste your time calling him.

[hardtimes]

Originally Posted by Jerry in Shasta

I have a early Lyon head. The head gasket does not fit #1 cylinder correctly. The back side if the gasket over laps into the combustion chamber about a 1/8 inch.

The gasket will last about 2000 miles before blowing. The head is not sealing the gasket where it was intended to be held at the fire ring.

We have tried many gaskets, "a" "b" and so on. The Best Gasket Company's copper gasket works the best.

Question, can the in side of the combustion chamber be built-up by welding and resurfaced so that the head and block match and seal properly.

Thanks
JB

Hey Jerry,
You say that you had this head for years. He made THREE cast iron versions of this head. People who had bought the first two versions found out what you know. I've talked to some who said that they never used the head and shelved it. I just happened to get the third version when it became available. The third version, i.e.- Lion Speed Head 111, was/is a good piece of equipment and made good power/performed well on my warmed up B engine. Whether your version can be redone, I do not know. It is a bummer that they weren't recalled and/or fixed by maker, IMO.

[colin1928]

A fire wire or O ringing is just a thin wire placed a round the combustion chamber to give extra gasket compression race engines machine a grove in the block but you can use thinner wire placed carefully where you need it I do this on my 8 to 1 heads between cylinder 1&2 and 3&4
Never blown a gasket since doing this
others here (pete) may have better photos