Head gasket- Why not Penetrox?
 

Please don't laugh at me, I am still trying to learn here.

So, when using the copper style head gaskets, I see in previous threads recommendations from copper coat to grease and everything in between. Most of the knowledgeable people seem to recommend the copper coat spray.

In my line of work (radio communications and engineering), whenever we have dissimilar metals in contact with each other, especially in the presence of moisture, we use Penetrox on the joints. It's like a zinc grease that keeps the dissimilar metals from reacting.

So....

Since a Model A motor and head are both cast iron, and the head gasket is copper, why wouldn't we use Penetrox or a similar product? Or, am I reading too much into this? Is there no problem with the copper sandwiched between the cast iron block and head?

Re: Head gasket- Why not Penetrox?
 

I don't know of any problems with cast iron and copper. Aluminum is another story.

Re: Head gasket- Why not Penetrox?
 

While there is galvanic action between the head and gasket it is small and takes a great amount of time to corrode the iron. We as owners often remove the heads several time over the lifetime of the engine and when rebuilt the head and block are leveled, cleaning the corrosion.

Re: Head gasket- Why not Penetrox?
 

Excellent. Thank you both!

Re: Head gasket- Why not Penetrox?
 

I wondered the same thing, putting copper coat on gaskets for an aluminum head. Have taken the head off a few times and not had a problem in 4 years. I talked to a Tech guy at copper coat and he had not heard of any problems.