Author Topic: Annealing of head gaskets  (Read 1888 times)

Airhead Martin

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Annealing of head gaskets
« on: 20.06. 2012 12:53 »
Hi Everyone

I've just bought an A10 with leaking rocker box, so I thought I'd quickly sort that out. I've got my fat gaskets sorted due to damage on head mating surface. Started poking around and didn't like a few things - head off. Now I would like to reassemble but whats the feeling about reusing head gasket if annealed. I live round the corner from Lightning Spares but he's shut today. Also any comments about 'A7SS head' on standard A10. All informed comment would be appreciated.

Cheers Martin

Offline RichardL

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Re: Annealing of head gaskets
« Reply #1 on: 20.06. 2012 15:00 »
Welcome to the forum. Typically, a bit of introduction is appreciated in your first post, as mentioned here: http://www.a7a10.net/forum/index.php/topic,4723.0.html

Regarding reusing copper head gaskets, I asked the same question four years ago and there are three pages of responses to be found at:
http://www.a7a10.net/forum/index.php/topic,737.0.html

Looking forward to pictures of your bike and the continuing story of your efforts to sort it.

Richard L.

Offline Goldy

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Re: Annealing of head gaskets
« Reply #2 on: 20.06. 2012 15:21 »
I re use them so long as they are not damaged, the problem for most people is finding sufficient source of heat to get it cherry red.
56 A10 Golden Flash - Restore, ride, relive.                                          
56 C12 BSA project ongoing

Online muskrat

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Re: Annealing of head gaskets
« Reply #3 on: 20.06. 2012 21:30 »
 G'day Martin, welcome to the forum.
                                                  Ditto what Goldy said.
 You have started with one of the most annoying jobs, the dreaded rocker box gasket. Patience and perseverance.
Cheers
'51 A7 plunger, '57 A7SS racer now a A10CR, '78 XT500, '83 CB1100F, 88 HD FXST, 2000 CBR929RR ex Honda Australia Superbike .
Australia
Muskys Plunger A7

Offline Duncan R

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Re: Annealing of head gaskets
« Reply #4 on: 21.06. 2012 17:01 »
Hi Martin,

My bike is a Shooting Star but at some point the engine became a 650, it has the std SS head on it and runs fine (not at the moment as it blew up! Nothing to do with the head though) Just in the final stages of the engine rebuild.

Cheers

Duncan
Anglo - Indian A7SS (Actually is a 650)
Kawasaki ZZR 1100
BMW R80GS
BMW R1100GS

Offline spyke

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Re: Annealing of head gaskets
« Reply #5 on: 21.06. 2012 22:05 »
Hi Martin,

Im running an A10 with an A7 head because I had one and couldnt afford a 650 head.
I had it machined to match the 650 bore, it runs like a swiss watch but it feels more like an A7 than an A10 power wise if im honest.
Not sure if the ss head has bigger valves than my a7 head tho. 

Spyke
 
A10 spitfire style

Offline bikerboy

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Re: Annealing of head gaskets
« Reply #6 on: 22.06. 2012 05:26 »
One of my A10's has an A7 head on it and it runs fine. I have had it cut out for A10 valves tho they are a fair bit bigger than the A7 ones

Online muskrat

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Re: Annealing of head gaskets
« Reply #7 on: 22.06. 2012 14:35 »
 Yep me two, got a '54 twin carb A7 head with SR valves on the 650 cafe.
Cheers
'51 A7 plunger, '57 A7SS racer now a A10CR, '78 XT500, '83 CB1100F, 88 HD FXST, 2000 CBR929RR ex Honda Australia Superbike .
Australia
Muskys Plunger A7

Offline kommando

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Re: Annealing of head gaskets
« Reply #8 on: 24.06. 2012 06:49 »
Quote
I re use them so long as they are not damaged, the problem for most people is finding sufficient source of heat to get it cherry red.

On copper the full item does not need to be red all at the same time, you can bring it up to red in sections and it will all be annealed when you are finished. Even a small gasket such as a C15 gasket needs to be done in sections with the propane torch you get from B&Q.
No BSA twins just unit singles
Scotland

Offline mfhutchins

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Re: Annealing of head gaskets
« Reply #9 on: 26.06. 2012 02:16 »
On my Super Rocket I annealed my head gasket with a MAP torch, cleaned it, then applied a light coat of grease.