The Ford Barn

Al 29Tudor · 01-25-2019, 08:13 AM

Good morning Gents,
While torqueing down a new head gasket the water output gasket squished out from under the flange. I'm worried the ears of the flange might break off.
Does anyone suggest using only gasket sealer on both surfaces without a gasket? Or would it be better to make a thin gasket without sealer?
Please your comments on your experiences.
Thank you.
Al

Kurt in NJ · 01-25-2019, 09:39 AM

When I last had the head off I thought I had to flatten the water neck surface, when I tightened it on a new copper/white stuff filler gasket the ear broke off, it got brazed back on, now no gasket, just sealer, been good for 30 years

Jacksonlll · 01-25-2019, 10:10 AM

Just use a little RTV and stop at 45 ft # on those two nuts. They break a lot. Be tender and no gasket.

BRENT in 10-uh-C · 01-25-2019, 10:44 AM

The trick to keeping the neck from cracking/breaking is to ensure the sealing surface is flat in the X & Y directions. Use a mic or calipers to check the stud hole thickness from the nut surface of the neck down to the gasket surface to verify both are equal. Use a file or flycutter to level the surface ensuring the neck is flat the entire distance across. Then install with an annealed copper clad gasket and torque to 55 lbs.

The other trick I learned as a kid was to loosely assemble and put a paper match between the neck and the head on the outboard sides of the studs, -then tighten. This compensated for a warped neck.

Anteek29 · 01-25-2019, 11:34 AM

I concur with Jackson...use RTV, no gasket. Cooling system is not pressurised.

lee in bend · 01-25-2019, 01:17 PM

Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements)

I've used the original, thick gasket and traced it on a plain old brown paper grocery sack. Cut those out and use them as gaskets. A bit of #2 Permatex never a leak and never a problem with breaking off the ears.

midgetracer · 01-25-2019, 02:36 PM

I use only silicone(black)RTV.

Synchro909 · 01-25-2019, 02:42 PM

I have never broken oneof those castings and I've never installed one with anything more than a wipe of silicone. Draw your own conclusions!

Al 29Tudor · 01-25-2019, 05:13 PM

Wow! That's very conclusive.
Thanks to all you gents for your advice.
Al

Purdy Swoft · 01-26-2019, 01:15 PM

When I purchased my BF heads , Larry suggested leaving the water outlet gasket off and just using silicone (RTV) sealer in place of the copper clad gasket . Using no gasket has worked well for me ever since .

Terry, NJ · 01-26-2019, 02:30 PM

As Brent said, Make sure the surface is flat! I like to take a skim cut, with a flycutter on a Bridgeport. Granted, not everyone has a Bridgeport lying around, So it can be done with a file also. Just take gentle short strokes and only remove any high spots, then put the two pieces (Head and water neck0 together and make sure they don't rock against each other. Seal with Indian Head, Permatex or a similar product. It needs a good seal, not necessarily a gasket.
Terry

Railcarmover · 01-26-2019, 03:34 PM

modern RTV sealants are amazing..no gasket.

john in illinois · 01-26-2019, 05:22 PM

Thats how I do it. Flat is important. You can use sandpaper on a flat surface to true the outlet.

John

Al 29Tudor · 01-27-2019, 09:01 AM

Thanks for all your responses I appreciate it
What a great site
Al

01-25-2019, 08:13 AM	#1
Al 29Tudor Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2012 Location: Venice, FL Posts: 648	Water output casting sealing gasket or no gasket? Good morning Gents, While torqueing down a new head gasket the water output gasket squished out from under the flange. I'm worried the ears of the flange might break off. Does anyone suggest using only gasket sealer on both surfaces without a gasket? Or would it be better to make a thin gasket without sealer? Please your comments on your experiences. Thank you. Al

01-25-2019, 10:10 AM	#3
Jacksonlll Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2012 Location: Michigan-- Member of Oakleaf of MARC Posts: 1,686	Re: Water output casting sealing gasket or no gasket? Just use a little RTV and stop at 45 ft # on those two nuts. They break a lot. Be tender and no gasket.

01-25-2019, 10:44 AM	#4
BRENT in 10-uh-C Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Eastern Tennessee Posts: 11,508	Re: Water output casting sealing gasket or no gasket? The trick to keeping the neck from cracking/breaking is to ensure the sealing surface is flat in the X & Y directions. Use a mic or calipers to check the stud hole thickness from the nut surface of the neck down to the gasket surface to verify both are equal. Use a file or flycutter to level the surface ensuring the neck is flat the entire distance across. Then install with an annealed copper clad gasket and torque to 55 lbs. The other trick I learned as a kid was to loosely assemble and put a paper match between the neck and the head on the outboard sides of the studs, -then tighten. This compensated for a warped neck. __________________ . BRENT in 10-uh-C . www.model-a-ford.com ...(...Finally Updated!! ) .

01-25-2019, 11:34 AM	#5
Anteek29 Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2014 Location: Santa Maria, CA Posts: 985	Re: Water output casting sealing gasket or no gasket? I concur with Jackson...use RTV, no gasket. Cooling system is not pressurised. __________________ Alan 1929 Special Coupe 1941 Pick-Up 1955 Victoria

01-25-2019, 01:17 PM	#6
lee in bend Junior Member Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: Bend, Oregon Posts: 29	Re: Water output casting sealing gasket or no gasket? Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) I've used the original, thick gasket and traced it on a plain old brown paper grocery sack. Cut those out and use them as gaskets. A bit of #2 Permatex never a leak and never a problem with breaking off the ears. __________________ Always Learning about Model A's 1929 Standard Roadster 1931 Deluxe Roadster 1976 Triumph Spitfire 1500

01-25-2019, 09:39 AM	#2
Kurt in NJ Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: on the Littlefield Posts: 6,156	Re: Water output casting sealing gasket or no gasket? When I last had the head off I thought I had to flatten the water neck surface, when I tightened it on a new copper/white stuff filler gasket the ear broke off, it got brazed back on, now no gasket, just sealer, been good for 30 years

01-25-2019, 02:36 PM	#7
midgetracer Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Bismarck ND Posts: 1,189	Re: Water output casting sealing gasket or no gasket? I use only silicone(black)RTV.

01-25-2019, 02:42 PM	#8
Synchro909 Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2014 Location: Melbourne, Australia Posts: 7,496	Re: Water output casting sealing gasket or no gasket? I have never broken oneof those castings and I've never installed one with anything more than a wipe of silicone. Draw your own conclusions! __________________ I'm part of the only ever generation with an analogue childhood and a digital adulthood.

01-25-2019, 05:13 PM	#9
Al 29Tudor Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2012 Location: Venice, FL Posts: 648	Re: Water output casting sealing gasket or no gasket? Wow! That's very conclusive. Thanks to all you gents for your advice. Al

01-26-2019, 01:15 PM	#10
Purdy Swoft Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Alabama Posts: 8,099	Re: Water output casting sealing gasket or no gasket? When I purchased my BF heads , Larry suggested leaving the water outlet gasket off and just using silicone (RTV) sealer in place of the copper clad gasket . Using no gasket has worked well for me ever since .

01-26-2019, 02:30 PM	#11
Terry, NJ Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Bucks Co, Pa Posts: 3,740	Re: Water output casting sealing gasket or no gasket? As Brent said, Make sure the surface is flat! I like to take a skim cut, with a flycutter on a Bridgeport. Granted, not everyone has a Bridgeport lying around, So it can be done with a file also. Just take gentle short strokes and only remove any high spots, then put the two pieces (Head and water neck0 together and make sure they don't rock against each other. Seal with Indian Head, Permatex or a similar product. It needs a good seal, not necessarily a gasket. Terry

01-26-2019, 05:22 PM	#13
john in illinois Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Illinois Posts: 2,183	Re: Water output casting sealing gasket or no gasket? Thats how I do it. Flat is important. You can use sandpaper on a flat surface to true the outlet. John

01-27-2019, 09:01 AM	#14
Al 29Tudor Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2012 Location: Venice, FL Posts: 648	Re: Water output casting sealing gasket or no gasket? Thanks for all your responses I appreciate it What a great site Al