Farm Equipment - Head Gasket Rules ?

Print Page | Close Window

Head Gasket Rules ?

Printed From: Unofficial Allis
Category: Allis Chalmers
Forum Name: Farm Equipment
Forum Description: everything about Allis-Chalmers farm equipment
URL: https://www.allischalmers.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=21414
Printed Date: 14 Nov 2024 at 9:28am
Software Version: Web Wiz Forums 11.10 - http://www.webwizforums.com

Topic: Head Gasket Rules ?

Posted By: Larry Miller
Subject: Head Gasket Rules ?
Date Posted: 27 Nov 2010 at 7:03am

What are the guide lines for head gaskets. I have installed them and for one reason or another had to remove the head again. Is there a limit of how many times you should torque down a head gasket. What is the time factor - Older engines always get a new gasket if the head is removed - What about recent overhauls of 2 - 3 years.

Heard of people spraying with silver paint - only on used gaskets ? Why silver ? Never add any sealer to prevent water or compression leaks ?? Or is some sealer better than others ?

Thanks, Larry Miller

-------------
I used to be young and stupid, now I am not young anymore.

Replies:

Posted By: DrAllis
Date Posted: 27 Nov 2010 at 7:37am

My own personal preference (WC-WD-WD45-D17-170-175) is to rub a very thin layer of RTV silicone around all water passage holes and all around the O.D. 1/4" of the entire head gasket on both sides, so the RTV seals all water from seeping and no oil can seep on the pushrod side. Also the two gaskets on top of the head for the thermostat hsg and a cover plate I never use (because they sometimes squish out), just use RTV. I prefer orange, gold or red RTV. Retorque head bolts COLD after engine has been run for a time (after a dyno run is good) and reset tappets. Head bolt holes must be clean in the block and bolt threads must be lubed with grease or oil so they aren't dry. If your concern is a WD45, D15, D17 or D19 diesel, they are junk and can't usually be fixed without spending a lot of $$$$$$....poor sleeve lip design (or I should say no lip to hold the sleeve "up").

Posted By: Dick L
Date Posted: 27 Nov 2010 at 8:25am

Back years ago silver paint was used to be able to reuse the head gasket. Some how it was thought that it was a sealer rather than a anti seize. When a head gasket does not stick fast it can and was reused buy some. When I was pulling every weekend I have pulled the head and reused the gasket if it had not stuck without any problems. I have never used the silver paint which is paint with fine aluminum particles. Aluminum anti seize just has more aluminum particles and grease of some kind.

Posted By: Brian G. NY
Date Posted: 27 Nov 2010 at 9:18am

When Ford came out with the high compression 312 interceptor engine they recommended painting both sides of the head gasket with aluminum paint, letting it dry and then painting both sidea again and assemble when wet.

Posted By: Gerald J.
Date Posted: 27 Nov 2010 at 10:27am

Some gasket makers want it torqued onces, not retorqued. Some like it torqued twice the second one are running a while. Not all head gaskets are made alike and need to be treated alike.

Gerald J.

Posted By: Coke-in-MN
Date Posted: 27 Nov 2010 at 10:43am

follow the gasket mfg recomondations, I used silver paint for long time on the steel gaskets that had the ridge stamped in them , on composition gaskets it called for sealer I use copper coat now. Fel-Pro gaskets were pre treated for a long time and said not to use any material on them.

On other gaskets I have used grease, copper-coat, and also RTV gold or red depending on heat. trick to RTV is thin layer (next to nothing) let skin then install.

-------------
Faith isn't a jump in the dark. It is a walk in the light. Faith is not guessing; it is knowing something.
"Challenges are what make life interesting; overcoming them is what makes life meaningful."

Posted By: Brian Jasper co. Ia
Date Posted: 27 Nov 2010 at 11:13am

For me it depends on gasket type and material. Most Fel-Pro head gaskets are teflon coated. On those, I install dry. If it is a metal or metal clad type, I use Copper Coat on them. Late model multi layer metal go in dry. Old engines like tractors get retorqued. New stuff doesn't.

Technically speaking, a head gasket is not reuseable. They take a crush only once. I haven't tried to reuse one, but I have heard many say they paint them and reuse without any problems. Your mileage may vary...

-------------
"Any man who thinks he can be happy and prosperous by letting the government take care of him better take a closer look at the American Indian." Henry Ford