I was reading some forums on head gaskets and turbo's, as far as changing the c/r. I was thinking to my self...exactly what is the gaskets job? Why couldn't you just lay the head on top of the block? Does it just act as a seal? Hmm.....


Modified by issues4 at 4:28 PM 9/16/2003

 

It is a seal. Its thickness helps determine compression. Heads and blocks have minor surface imperfections so they would not seal very well metal to metal, that is why the gasket is there.

 

So what material is the head gasket made from? Aluminum? Tin? Makes sence though, being a seal and all. And serves as a really easy way to adjust your c/r. When people refer to blowing a head gasket, do they mean they melted it? or chipped it or something to that effect?

 

Material depends on make and model. The Acura Legends use a gasket that looks like an EGR gasket. Blowing is when the seal is broken in any way. You can be leaking oil, coolant, compression, or a combonation.

 

Anyone have any insight to what material the gasket is made from?

 

to seal combustion in the cylinder and to keep coolant out

 

most are made of lead i believe, or softer aliminum. however i am positive you can order performance ones in copper which takes a lot more heat or pressure to crack...

 

Ah, thankyou, just what i was looking for. Definetly not steal either way. So aluminum/lead, and copper for higher performance.

 

I say in my signature that I am using a copper gasket.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by 19924ws &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">SCE .043 copper gasket&stock gasket</TD></TR></TABLE>

Ahh, my bad dood. Good point. Can you second the copper being the strongest material gaskets are made of quote?

 

HELPS DETERMINE COMPRESSION AND A SEALER BETWEEN THE HEAD AND BLOCK, U CANT USE SILICOLNE OR A COARK TYPE GASKET WHERE ITS GONNA BE AROUND 300+ DEGREES!

 

Not sure about "the strongest" but close if not.