The Ford Barn

russcc · 06-17-2016, 03:19 PM

I clayed up the pistons & valves on a 59AB, and cranked it over by hand with the heads/gaskets on. The clearance between the head, pistons & valves is good. What I would like to know is how much does a typical metal/composite head gasket that measures .080 thick new, compress to when torqued down to 50#s. Using almn heads. Thank you Fordbarners.

Ross F-1 · 06-17-2016, 04:22 PM

FelPro's on 8BAs end up right around .055"

russcc · 06-17-2016, 06:27 PM

Thank you very much for your response. Is the typical metal/composite sandwich head gasket around .080. ? If so, a compressed head gasket at .055, is a .025 squash, which is probably a good average.

Bluebell · 06-17-2016, 07:04 PM

Don't trust it without confirmation, but I think someone on here said 0.055" for a best gasket composite and 0.057" for a copper gasket (also Best brand)

Ross F-1 · 06-17-2016, 09:47 PM

It just occurred to me that the famous "Flathead Compression Ratio Chart" includes assumed head gasket thickness. It shows some at .030" and some at .050". Doesn't say but I'd guess the thinner ones are copper and the thicker ones composite.

Bassman/NZ · 06-17-2016, 10:44 PM

Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements)

My Best coppers came in at 0.050"

russcc · 06-18-2016, 04:43 AM

This is steel /composite gasket, NORS. From the collective information here, it looks like .050 to .055 is a typical compressed thickness. I will do a search for the "Flathead Compression Ratio Chart". Also, what is a good source for 59 copper overbore gaskets, preferably NORS. Thank you.

Ross F-1 · 06-18-2016, 10:04 AM

Here it is (below)

Bluebell · 06-18-2016, 04:32 PM

Russcc, Best do a big bore gasket in Copper as well as in Graphtite. I have no experience with flatheads, but Best seems to have a good reputation. I would guess that Felpro have a similar reputation. I bought the Graphtite ones. I make the (maybe misguided) assumption that the Graphtite might somehow seal better, although previous experience tells me that this type of gasket is the worst to remove. By comparison the copper gasket is "lift off"
Why would I put one together with a plan to pull it apart again?

JSeery · 06-18-2016, 06:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bluebell

Why would I put one together with a plan to pull it apart again?

Now there are some famous last words!

Bluebell · 06-19-2016, 05:59 AM

J Seery, I have to take the "glass half full approach"

scooder · 06-19-2016, 07:18 AM

I always use copper sandwich given a choice. I've busted far to many knuckles scrapping fibre type gaskets off the spiky hand destroying deck surface that awaits you when you pull a head for whatever reason. You know, the head that was the devil's own work to get off cus it's stuck on the block that bloody fibre gasket, aswell as hanging up on the studs.
To me engines of this vintage should be assembled with a mind to taking it apart. Removing heads to decoke the combustion chambers is part of the life of vintage engines, they do carbon up a lot more than modern clean burn engines. A decoke is part of a long gap service.
Martin.

And I'm a glass half full guy, also a realist.

Bored&Stroked · 06-19-2016, 10:52 AM

You mentioned the clearances were "good" - what were your numbers with the gasket on and just hand tightened? What do you have over the valves (at the top of the valve reliefs in the head and over the pistons?

As many mentioned, I typically see numbers around .055 or so with both copper sandwiched ones and the Best Gasket GraphTite style.

06-17-2016, 03:19 PM	#1
russcc Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Posts: 2,871	Head gasket squish I clayed up the pistons & valves on a 59AB, and cranked it over by hand with the heads/gaskets on. The clearance between the head, pistons & valves is good. What I would like to know is how much does a typical metal/composite head gasket that measures .080 thick new, compress to when torqued down to 50#s. Using almn heads. Thank you Fordbarners.

06-17-2016, 04:22 PM	#2
Ross F-1 Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: NM Posts: 2,443	Re: Head gasket squish FelPro's on 8BAs end up right around .055" __________________ '52 F-1, EAB flathead

06-17-2016, 06:27 PM	#3
russcc Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Posts: 2,871	Re: Head gasket squish Thank you very much for your response. Is the typical metal/composite sandwich head gasket around .080. ? If so, a compressed head gasket at .055, is a .025 squash, which is probably a good average.

06-17-2016, 07:04 PM	#4
Bluebell Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2012 Location: Tauranga, New Zealand Posts: 726	Re: Head gasket squish Don't trust it without confirmation, but I think someone on here said 0.055" for a best gasket composite and 0.057" for a copper gasket (also Best brand)

06-17-2016, 09:47 PM	#5
Ross F-1 Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: NM Posts: 2,443	Re: Head gasket squish It just occurred to me that the famous "Flathead Compression Ratio Chart" includes assumed head gasket thickness. It shows some at .030" and some at .050". Doesn't say but I'd guess the thinner ones are copper and the thicker ones composite. __________________ '52 F-1, EAB flathead

06-17-2016, 10:44 PM	#6
Bassman/NZ Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Napier, New Zealand Posts: 2,001	Re: Head gasket squish Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) My Best coppers came in at 0.050"

06-18-2016, 04:43 AM	#7
russcc Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Posts: 2,871	Re: Head gasket squish This is steel /composite gasket, NORS. From the collective information here, it looks like .050 to .055 is a typical compressed thickness. I will do a search for the "Flathead Compression Ratio Chart". Also, what is a good source for 59 copper overbore gaskets, preferably NORS. Thank you.

06-18-2016, 04:32 PM	#9
Bluebell Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2012 Location: Tauranga, New Zealand Posts: 726	Re: Head gasket squish Russcc, Best do a big bore gasket in Copper as well as in Graphtite. I have no experience with flatheads, but Best seems to have a good reputation. I would guess that Felpro have a similar reputation. I bought the Graphtite ones. I make the (maybe misguided) assumption that the Graphtite might somehow seal better, although previous experience tells me that this type of gasket is the worst to remove. By comparison the copper gasket is "lift off" Why would I put one together with a plan to pull it apart again? Last edited by Bluebell; 06-18-2016 at 04:38 PM.

06-19-2016, 05:59 AM	#11
Bluebell Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2012 Location: Tauranga, New Zealand Posts: 726	Re: Head gasket squish J Seery, I have to take the "glass half full approach"

06-19-2016, 07:18 AM	#12
scooder Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2010 Posts: 2,595	Re: Head gasket squish I always use copper sandwich given a choice. I've busted far to many knuckles scrapping fibre type gaskets off the spiky hand destroying deck surface that awaits you when you pull a head for whatever reason. You know, the head that was the devil's own work to get off cus it's stuck on the block that bloody fibre gasket, aswell as hanging up on the studs. To me engines of this vintage should be assembled with a mind to taking it apart. Removing heads to decoke the combustion chambers is part of the life of vintage engines, they do carbon up a lot more than modern clean burn engines. A decoke is part of a long gap service. Martin. And I'm a glass half full guy, also a realist.

06-19-2016, 10:52 AM	#13
Bored&Stroked Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: Central Ohio Posts: 5,723	Re: Head gasket squish You mentioned the clearances were "good" - what were your numbers with the gasket on and just hand tightened? What do you have over the valves (at the top of the valve reliefs in the head and over the pistons? As many mentioned, I typically see numbers around .055 or so with both copper sandwiched ones and the Best Gasket GraphTite style.