hey, im changing my head gasket this weekend and i was reading a really good post on hg problems on a boosted d16 yeasterday. anyway i noticed that alot of you guys are useing a "copper spray" when you put the new hg on. what exactly is it and where do you get it? thanks.

 

Copper spray is just that, copper spray.
I use it with only positive results.

You MUST make sure you apply it in even light coats. Let it dry completely before installing.

 

funny, im changing my HG too. i picked up a can of VHT copper spray (adhesive) for like $5 and a set of ARP head studs.

when you say apply 2 light coats. do i want to almost color the HG or just a light dusting?

 

Copper spray-a-gasket is a sealant.

You can pick it up at any Pep Boys or AutoZone for about $5.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Turbo E 604 &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">
when you say apply 2 light coats. do i want to almost color the HG or just a light dusting?</TD></TR></TABLE>



I put I think 4 coats on it but VERY light ones.

 

thanks ladysman! exactly what i wanted to see

 

you don't need to let it dry either. On the can it even says, just to wait till it;'s tacky at least.

I usually spray a generous amount when I use it

I re use head gaskets because of this stuff

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Emerika &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">you don't need to let it dry either. On the can it even says, just to wait till it;'s tacky at least.

I usually spray a generous amount when I use it

I re use head gaskets because of this stuff </TD></TR></TABLE>

I would never reuse a HG (nor does Honda recommend it).
Mine set for a week and was very tacky. When it dries, it is always tacky.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by ladysman &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">

I would never reuse a HG (nor does Honda recommend it).
Mine set for a week and was very tacky. When it dries, it is always tacky. </TD></TR></TABLE>

I only let mine sit for like 15 min when I coated it with copper spray.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by ladysman &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">

I would never reuse a HG (nor does Honda recommend it).
Mine set for a week and was very tacky. When it dries, it is always tacky. </TD></TR></TABLE>

no one should recommend re using a head gasket.

 

BTW sorry for the thread Hijack

okay im about to pull the head off the B18C. any tips or pointers? do i need to drain anything?

-i will pull the turbo mani off
-remove timing belt and cams
-disconnect sensors and hoses from intake mani (leaving on head)
spray the gasket w/copper spray before install

 

Drain the oil and coolant.

 

yea, good idea.... i drained my coolant when i did my headgasket'

remeber to re-torque all your head bolts to factory specs'

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by kKdARIAN &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">yea, good idea.... i drained my coolant when i did my headgasket'

remeber to re-torque all your head bolts to factory specs'</TD></TR></TABLE>

There is also a specific order you need to tq AND to tq it a certain amount before applying full tq to it.

This is one of those things you DO NOT want to mess up.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by ladysman &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">

I would never reuse a HG (nor does Honda recommend it).
Mine set for a week and was very tacky. When it dries, it is always tacky. </TD></TR></TABLE>
sometimes you got to make due with what you got and if it works use it and who the hell listens to the honda dealership

 

i have NEVER had a problem reusing a head gasket just make sure you don't reuse a blown one, but when i blow one you can tell i blew it

 

Yes, you have to let the copper spray dry for a bit. I'm an engineer and we do a bit with sealants like copper spray, only we use sodium silicate. The copper spray is in liquid form because it needs to be sprayed from the can. The actual sealant is a solid. The liquids must evaporate from the spray once it has been applied. If not the particals will evaporate leaving you with small passages underneath the headgasket.

Will this be devistational? Probably not, but why run the risk. Do it right. Before learning about the properties of these sealant sprays I had incorrectly applied the sealant a few times with poor results.

good luck

 

ugh...i need a 1/2" drive 14mm socket. i only have 3/8" drive....

damn thos studs are tight

 

12:35 am just finished putting the head on. still need to drain the coolant and oil/ refill.

only 6 hours so far. do the rest tomorrow AM. ugh....

 

I think that is the same cooper spray that you use on the back of your brake pads. At least I think so.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Turbo E 604 &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">12:35 am just finished putting the head on. still need to drain the coolant and oil/ refill.

only 6 hours so far. do the rest tomorrow AM. ugh....</TD></TR></TABLE>

good luck let us know how it turns out

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by CivicHall93 &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">I think that is the same cooper spray that you use on the back of your brake pads. At least I think so.</TD></TR></TABLE>

nah. you're thinking of anti-seize, or anti-squeel.

the spray is a metal based adhesive

 

damn........i post up the most factually sound information in this topic and no response........ungrateful h-t members.

ahh, i'm just grouchy. pay no attention to me

 

ok Im finished

i had the exhaust cam jump one tooth so the car ran like poop so i redid that and everything is gravy now

lessee...6:30pm to 12:30am yesterday then 10:30 AM to 2:00 pm today...hmmmm..10 hours...

thanks for all the help guys. I'll post pics later or something. i need some sleep now....

now lets see if i can keep it from blowing again this decade.

 

i never used copper spray and i have had 0 problems