Head gaskets

Ulster Casual Dubber

22 posts · joined Feb 2009 · 13 Oct 2009, 6:25 am

#740505

Have pulled down the 1600 twin port motor. It appears that the heads have been blowing Cant find any sign of a head gasket. Did these heads have a copper gasket which looked like a large copper ring. If the heads do need gaskets where can I get some? regards Bob Sunshine coast.

vw54 Administrator Always Waiting 4 Friday

16,723 posts · joined Aug 2002 · 13 Oct 2009, 8:07 am

#740519

the copper gaskets were done away with many years ago

nowdays its better to have the heads surface skimmed if needed and then lapped each barrel to its head position

wash and remove the lapping paste

I read it on FACEBOOK so it must be true

http://forums.aussieveedubbers.com/viewtopic.php?tid=91278&page=1#pid848630

http://forums.aussieveedubbers.com/viewtopic.php?tid=63561&page=1#pid624099

http://forums.aussieveedubbers.com/viewtopic.php?tid=4832&page=1#pid452603

http://forums.aussieveedubbers.com/viewtopic.php?tid=60650&page=1#pid574409

matberry Moderator Go hard or go home

8,114 posts · joined Mar 2006 · 13 Oct 2009, 8:26 am

#740521

In standard form, copper head gaskets were only used on the 36hp and early 40 hp (stopped in 1960 I think) only due to the style of heater system, to give a secondary seal to the combustion chamber so as not to risk the occupants with carbonmonoxide poisoning. Now days there is an aftermarket head gasket available but I believe only for bigger bores.
As Dave said, freshen up the machined mating surface of the head and all will be good.

Matt Berry Motorsports...air cooled advice, repairs and mods Ph 0408 704 662
OFF-ROAD,CIRCUIT,DRAG,STREET,ENDURANCE

1500S Custom Title Time!

1,418 posts · joined Mar 2005 · 13 Oct 2009, 10:28 am

#740537

Ulster wrote:Have pulled down the 1600 twin port motor. It appears that the heads have been blowing Cant find any sign of a head gasket. Did these heads have a copper gasket which looked like a large copper ring. If the heads do need gaskets where can I get some? regards Bob Sunshine coast.

When you re torque the head studs, also make sure the threads aren't bone dry. Many heads leak due to the nut having too much friction resulting in not enough down force on the heads causing leaks.

Also, what about updating your profile info with at least your area. I can see that it's strung in with the rest of the post but it's always clearer on the side. That way there may be extra help just around the corner. I never understand why so many on forums don't like giving their name out or what area they are in.

Hope you don't mind my little rant on this! 👍

DH

68AutoBug Beetle Restorer - Experience over 138\% - YIKES --

11,654 posts · joined Aug 2002 · 13 Oct 2009, 10:47 am

#740542

Ulster wrote:Have pulled down the 1600 twin port motor. It appears that the heads have been blowing Cant find any sign of a head gasket. Did these heads have a copper gasket which looked like a large copper ring. If the heads do need gaskets where can I get some? regards Bob Sunshine coast.

Hi BOB

I've seen a few engines with copper rings in the heads...
I believe they are decompression copper rings...
and come in different thicknesses...

I bought some from Mick Motors early in the year....

If they were there originally, put some back... IMHO...

cheers

LEE

- Helping keep Air Cooled VWs on the road - location: SCONE in the Upper Hunter Valley - Northern NSW 320 kms NNW of SYDNEY---

psimitar Son of Jim - Creator of Good

2,506 posts · joined Jan 2009 · 15 Oct 2009, 11:36 pm

#741055

As VW54 said, get the heads flycut to get rid of any major pitting and then grind the barrels into the heads but mark which barrel has been ground into which chamber 😉

madness is in the eye of the beholder 👍

matberry Moderator Go hard or go home

8,114 posts · joined Mar 2006 · 16 Oct 2009, 5:57 am

#741066

psimitar wrote:As VW54 said, get the heads flycut to get rid of any major pitting and then grind the barrels into the heads but mark which barrel has been ground into which chamber 😉

Flycut head ...yes; lap barrels...no, you should only need to tidy up the sealing surface of the barrel with 800 wet/dry on glass, lapping into head will disturb the newly machined surface.

Matt Berry Motorsports...air cooled advice, repairs and mods Ph 0408 704 662
OFF-ROAD,CIRCUIT,DRAG,STREET,ENDURANCE

psimitar Son of Jim - Creator of Good

2,506 posts · joined Jan 2009 · 16 Oct 2009, 10:02 am

#741103

matberry wrote:Flycut head ...yes; lap barrels...no, you should only need to tidy up the sealing surface of the barrel with 800 wet/dry on glass, lapping into head will disturb the newly machined surface.

Interesting. Yes sanding on glass for a level surface. Good stuff 🙂 Did you know that they pour molten glass onto mercury to get a nice flat surface. Cool huh?

madness is in the eye of the beholder 👍

clinker42 Officially Full-On Dubber

381 posts · joined Aug 2008 · 16 Oct 2009, 7:24 pm

#741201

Guys

What would be wrong with just putting in a copper gasket if you can get one. I presume they would be no thicker than say 15 or 20 thou. That will make bugger all difference in the compression ratio, and shouldnt upset rocker geometry but would solve the sealing issue.

Can you guys see any issue in using a copper gasket and some threebond.

Trev