240zip Posted December 21, 2010 Share Posted December 21, 2010 I've seen layered metal head gaskets for the L28 and I mainly thought they were used in stroker applications. I've recently seen a spat of solid (not layered) copper gaskets being sold. There's one for about $110 on eBay. Under what circumstance would a solid copper gasket make sense? I used a 'dead soft' copper exhaust gasket for my header and had to machine the exhaust flange on a Bridgeport to make it perfectly straight. I'm pleased with the result, but it's clear that you can't just use these without some metal preparation. Would you really want to use such a gasket for a turbo L28ET application? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tony D Posted December 22, 2010 Share Posted December 22, 2010 yes, they have been used, those that use them report the results in various threads. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mario_82_ZXT Posted December 22, 2010 Share Posted December 22, 2010 Don't you have to o-ring the block? And isn't there issues with them seeping coolant? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rayaapp2 Posted December 22, 2010 Share Posted December 22, 2010 They have been discussed before as Tony stated, but last mention of them that I personally can remember was several years ago(without searching for it myself). I think there was a post back in '04 or '03 about gasket type comparisons. Your best bet is to simply use google or the search feature here on hybridz. Generally copper gaskets are used for specific applications. There are very few OE applications for them(old 2 stroke engines being one of them). They have their purpose, but 99% of us here on the forums would never actually have use for them in my opinion. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mario_82_ZXT Posted December 22, 2010 Share Posted December 22, 2010 1 fast Z has used them I'd like to add. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
johnc Posted December 22, 2010 Share Posted December 22, 2010 I ran one in conjunction with the o-ring'd block. Worked fine. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Noddle Posted December 22, 2010 Share Posted December 22, 2010 Silly question, do they use a fire ring ? Nigel Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
z-ya Posted December 28, 2010 Share Posted December 28, 2010 Silly question, do they use a fire ring ? Nigel The gasket is solid copper. It is the fire ring! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
zguy36 Posted December 28, 2010 Share Posted December 28, 2010 (edited) I ran a copper gasket for a while, with an o-ringed block. I had some water seepage, but never enough under normal use to cause any problems. I ended up swapping to a multi-layer steel gasket after I blew out the copper one. It actually deformed (under lots of detontation) enough to push past the o-rings. Edited December 28, 2010 by zguy36 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rayaapp2 Posted December 30, 2010 Share Posted December 30, 2010 (edited) Crack open the "How to Modify your Datsun" book, or go buy one and crack it open. Lots of general, but good stuff in there. There is a specific section about head gaskets. I think you'll find some amount of oil and water seepage to be fairly "normal" under long periods of run time even with a metal prep like copper spray or what have you. Not to say that it will always seep, but that they have a natural tendency to seep. Personally for my on highway vehicles I run MLS or OE composite. Edited December 30, 2010 by rayaapp2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jgkurz Posted December 30, 2010 Share Posted December 30, 2010 I ran a copper gasket for a while, with an o-ringed block. I had some water seepage, but never enough under normal use to cause any problems. I ended up swapping to a multi-layer steel gasket after I blew out the copper one. It actually deformed (under lots of detontation) enough to push past the o-rings. That's some serious detonation... Did you go to a Cometic gasket. I hear they are excellent. As a side note, I use a Nissan head gasket with an O ringed block. So far no issues with boost up to 26psi. knock knock knock Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
z-ya Posted December 30, 2010 Share Posted December 30, 2010 That's some serious detonation... Did you go to a Cometic gasket. I hear they are excellent. As a side note, I use a Nissan head gasket with an O ringed block. So far no issues with boost up to 26psi. knock knock knock I wish Cometic made an L6 gasket. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
zguy36 Posted December 30, 2010 Share Posted December 30, 2010 That's some serious detonation... Did you go to a Cometic gasket. I hear they are excellent. As a side note, I use a Nissan head gasket with an O ringed block. So far no issues with boost up to 26psi. knock knock knock I went to a multi layer steel gasket and left the o-ring out of the block. This setup worked very well; no seepage or gasket deformation. Both gaskets suffered some serious detonation though, enough to break the porcelein on the spark plugs on a couple occasions. Young and stupid, playing with a megasquirt and boost Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rayaapp2 Posted December 30, 2010 Share Posted December 30, 2010 Back in 2005 I tried to get enough interest in a Cometic gasket. That didnt work out. The other MLS gaskets were still available though. I think they would have cost around $200-$175 ea. My contact ended up ignoring my emails I think. I had ~8 people interested, but you never know how many would have followed through. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mario_82_ZXT Posted December 30, 2010 Share Posted December 30, 2010 (edited) I wish Cometic made an L6 gasket. I believe they did at one point. If you want one now they'll charge you tooling (in the thousands) plus each gasket afterwards. And the per gasket price was still more then the Kameari one on eBay. (this is as of 1 month ago) Edited December 30, 2010 by mario_82_ZXT Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
1 fast z Posted January 1, 2011 Share Posted January 1, 2011 I run them on custom engines such as the l31 dett motor. They are good because you cam machine them to be an exact continuation of the bore. Therefore no dead spots during combustion to promote detonation. Must run a stainless oring and a receiver groove is recommended for the head. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Xander Posted January 1, 2011 Share Posted January 1, 2011 guys. There must be someone here that has access to a waterjet or laser cutter. Copper sheet will run about $80 online for a sheet of 12" x 36" x 0.04". This is enough for two headgaskets. Now all we need is a good vector based patern for a headgasket. I am no expert but as I understand it the block needs to be Oringed only in extreme aplications. And for extreme builds you can buy steel Orings that can be used under the copper headgasket. This could be a usable and cheap alternative to the very expensive Cometics headgaskets. X Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
z-ya Posted January 1, 2011 Share Posted January 1, 2011 guys. There must be someone here that has access to a waterjet or laser cutter. Copper sheet will run about $80 online for a sheet of 12" x 36" x 0.04". This is enough for two headgaskets. Now all we need is a good vector based patern for a headgasket. I am no expert but as I understand it the block needs to be Oringed only in extreme aplications. And for extreme builds you can buy steel Orings that can be used under the copper headgasket. This could be a usable and cheap alternative to the very expensive Cometics headgaskets. X Hussy (and others) can make you an L6 copper gasket in whatever standard copper thicknesses are available. Reasonable price too. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Administrators BRAAP Posted January 1, 2011 Administrators Share Posted January 1, 2011 These guys make them for the L6, (though no listed in their list). Had 2 of them come through my shop from another HBZ member for his road race L28. Beautifully cut, complete with instructions for the O-ringing, etc. http://www.scegaskets.com/ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
blue72 Posted January 1, 2011 Share Posted January 1, 2011 These guys have done a number of Nissan / Datsun copper head gaskets as well: http://www.headgasket.com/gaskets.html I believe they've got L28 measurements in their archives. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.