The Ford Barn

37 Coupe · 09-17-2018, 01:08 PM

I am sorry to ask so many questions but I think my problem besides my age is too many choices.I am getting ready to place yet another order to Bratton's or Snyders for gaskets and a water pump.If they showed just one that would be fine but they show 3-4.Some searches like the leakless ones with a bearing some say go back to the basic one.I figured out with your help on here to get an aluminum fan but my other dilemma is a head gasket,everyone has their preference.I have dealt with headgasket problems with flathead V8's and usually the problems were because of copper gaskets not fiber ones.I am thinking about Bratton's Kevlar gasket #8081 made by Best Gasket co.Any comments on this gasket? Thanks in advance.

woofa.express · 09-17-2018, 03:21 PM

Yes, too many choices can make things difficult, just like too much advise which conflicts. Sometimes I become uncertain and end up by not making a decision for that very reason.

arnhemmer · 09-17-2018, 03:43 PM

My motor was rebuilt by Bert's in Colorado and they mentioned that in all the years they have been building motors the have the best results with the composition gasket by Best using copper spray on both sides of the gasket prior to installation. That is what is on my motor and after 10,000 miles so far no problems. All my cylinders read 92 pounds as of yesterday with the Snyder 5.5:1 head.

ryanheacox · 09-18-2018, 08:08 AM

I had the best luck with the Best brand graphtite gasket, thats the one you mentioned from brattons. Never had luck with the "modern" gasket with the silicone sealer but the more I think about it the more it was probably operator error. Done properly, I'm sure any head gasket you buy will work well.

37 Coupe · 09-18-2018, 08:22 AM

The Best graphite/Kevlar gasket is what I decided and ended up ordering.I still have not figured out which would be the best water pump to order but no hurry on that until I get the new radiator.Thanks to all.

ryanheacox · 09-18-2018, 08:31 AM

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My grandfather put a leakless pump on our car before I can remember and it's always worked flawlessly. The odometer says 12xxx but I think the pump is older than the odometer. Again, there probably isn't a "bad" way to go. Original or leakless should last a long long time with proper maintenance. Good luck!

Jim Brierley · 09-18-2018, 10:46 AM

No matter what the gasket instructions say, re-torque the head after the first fire-up and again after the first drive.

09-17-2018, 01:08 PM	#1
37 Coupe Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Posts: 1,835	I did a search and confused on gaskets I am sorry to ask so many questions but I think my problem besides my age is too many choices.I am getting ready to place yet another order to Bratton's or Snyders for gaskets and a water pump.If they showed just one that would be fine but they show 3-4.Some searches like the leakless ones with a bearing some say go back to the basic one.I figured out with your help on here to get an aluminum fan but my other dilemma is a head gasket,everyone has their preference.I have dealt with headgasket problems with flathead V8's and usually the problems were because of copper gaskets not fiber ones.I am thinking about Bratton's Kevlar gasket #8081 made by Best Gasket co.Any comments on this gasket? Thanks in advance. __________________ "Never complain,never explain"... Henry Ford II

09-17-2018, 03:21 PM	#2
woofa.express Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2018 Location: Tocumwal, NSW, Australia Posts: 1,748	Re: I did a search and confused on gaskets Yes, too many choices can make things difficult, just like too much advise which conflicts. Sometimes I become uncertain and end up by not making a decision for that very reason. __________________ I know many things, But I don't know everything, Sometimes I forget things. And there are times when I have a long memory.

09-17-2018, 03:43 PM	#3
arnhemmer Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2015 Location: San Jose California Posts: 150	Re: I did a search and confused on gaskets My motor was rebuilt by Bert's in Colorado and they mentioned that in all the years they have been building motors the have the best results with the composition gasket by Best using copper spray on both sides of the gasket prior to installation. That is what is on my motor and after 10,000 miles so far no problems. All my cylinders read 92 pounds as of yesterday with the Snyder 5.5:1 head.

09-18-2018, 08:08 AM	#4
ryanheacox Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2013 Location: Northwest CT Posts: 1,092	Re: I did a search and confused on gaskets I had the best luck with the Best brand graphtite gasket, thats the one you mentioned from brattons. Never had luck with the "modern" gasket with the silicone sealer but the more I think about it the more it was probably operator error. Done properly, I'm sure any head gasket you buy will work well.

09-18-2018, 08:22 AM	#5
37 Coupe Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Posts: 1,835	Re: I did a search and confused on gaskets The Best graphite/Kevlar gasket is what I decided and ended up ordering.I still have not figured out which would be the best water pump to order but no hurry on that until I get the new radiator.Thanks to all. __________________ "Never complain,never explain"... Henry Ford II

09-18-2018, 08:31 AM	#6
ryanheacox Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2013 Location: Northwest CT Posts: 1,092	Re: I did a search and confused on gaskets Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) My grandfather put a leakless pump on our car before I can remember and it's always worked flawlessly. The odometer says 12xxx but I think the pump is older than the odometer. Again, there probably isn't a "bad" way to go. Original or leakless should last a long long time with proper maintenance. Good luck!

09-18-2018, 10:46 AM	#7
Jim Brierley Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Temecula, CA Posts: 4,085	Re: I did a search and confused on gaskets No matter what the gasket instructions say, re-torque the head after the first fire-up and again after the first drive.