Copper Rocker cover gaskets

[a101960]

Hooray! Today the postie delivered my copper rocker cover gasket set, so I can at last get my RGS back on the road. Does anyone have any advice relating to the fitting of these gaskets? Is there anything that I need to know before I jump in and start this job? For example will the gaskets need to be annealed, and should I use any kind of sealent with them, and if so what kind of sealant should I use?

John

[BSA_54A10]

Usually he gaskets are not fully soft.
Roll your thumb nail along the gasket.
If it makes anicce eep indentation then the gasket is soft.
If your finger breaks the gasket is hard.

[bsa-bill]

if you use the comb thing - remember to remove it - DAMHIK but if anyone wants a rocker box with a crack in it I know the whereabouts  of one 

[a10 gf]

Am probably writing the obvious (sorry) but check that all surfaces are very flat, and no deep indents\scratches anywhere that a normal soft gasket may fill, but beyond the copper's ability.

a rocker box with a crack in it

oh   yes, easy to overlook things sometimes. There is a thread somewhere on the forum about mistakes, maybe you can repost the story for others to be warned!

[muskrat]

As above and I use the copper gasket spray.
Cheers

[a101960]

I use the copper gasket spray

Muskrat, This is a product I keep on hearing about, and it seems to be held in high regard by those who are lucky enough to be able to buy it. However, after having done much research on the internet it seems that  Copper Gasket Spray is not on sale in the U.K. Permatex (the manufacturer) is unable to sell into the U.K. market due to U.K. health and saftey regulations. And because it is an aerosol can other suppliers in the US cannot ship it to the U.K. either.

John

[bsa-bill]

And because it is an aerosol can other suppliers in the US cannot ship it to the U.K. either.

That would explain why I've not seen it, I have however seen copper slip type stuff in an aerosol.
anyway a tube of copper slip would do the same or is it something entirely different.
As an aside tractor mechanics used to grease big copper gaskets (4 -6 - 8 cylinder) with ordinary grease to (allegedly) allow them to move and bed in, I later heard a rep from a gasket company denounce this procedure on the grounds that their gaskets were coated with lacquer that did the same thing - ah well so many opinions so little time

[muskrat]

I looked at the VHT site and the only UK seller is  http://www.woolfe.com/  he also has a ebay store.
Cheers

[metalflake11]

I tried to find some earlier to help John, but no joy. I did find a Notrun sight that suggests using ordinary aerosol silver paint as a substitute!  It appears that quite a few have used it with 100% success....................Any thoughts?
Failing that, the japanese have loads of different gasket goo. Hondabond, Yamabond etc etc.
Edit: Direct link to the gasket spray using the site Muskrat suggested.
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/VHT-SP21A-COPPER-GASKET-CEMENT-CORK-PAPER-METAL-GASKETS-/380614635400?pt=UK_CarsParts_Vehicles_CarParts_SM&hash=item589e666f88#ht_953wt_932
                                                  mf

[muskrat]

Yes the old silver paint trick. Worked well for decades.
That's a good price mf, we pay double that for it in stores down here.
Cheers

[Billybream]

Hi John.
My next job is to fit the copper rocker gaskets, and gasket sealer is recommended, the manufacturer suggest,s Permatex Ultra Grey 3294 or Copper Coat. Wait 10 minutes for sealant to cure, then tighten down, but wait further 24 hours to fully cure before starting the engine.

I have found similar sealant here in the UK : LOW MODULUS SILICONE SEALANT NEUTRAL CURE again off Ebay, you have to be careful with silicone and aluminium, so standard frame type sealant not suitable.

[Greybeard]

I don't really get the need for copper gaskets. When I put my engine together I applied a countersink bit lightly to all the bolt holes to remove any raised areas. I made sure the mating surfaces didn't have any high spots by lightly filing with a smooth file laid across two surfaces at once. I then used paper gaskets with Hylomar blue sealant. No leaks so far.

[a101960]

Thank you Muskrat, and thank you metalflake11 for helping me to find the copper gasket cement. Lord knows I spent hours searching for it without any success, so you have both been a great help. The seller had just 3 cans in stock one of which is now on its way to me. I can't imagine what the health and safety implications of this product might be. I shall soon be enlightend when I read whats printed on the container. As an aside I think that the U.K. health and safety laws are more than a little bizzare. By way of an example, unless you have been on a course and hold the relevent safety certificate you cannot hire a grinder, or a chain saw for example. But you can go into any retail outlet and buy one! Anyway thanks for all your help.

John

[a101960]

I then used paper gaskets with Hylomar blue sealant. No leaks so far.

Niel, I have used the Holymar/ paper gasket method, and it was O.K. for a while. In my experience the paper gasket eventually creeps and then starts to leak. I have changed the gaskets 2 or 3 times and they have been O.K. for a while and then they fail. Copper gaskets are the lasting solution to this problem or so my Triumph owning freinds tell me. I do have a mate that has fitted copper gaskets to his A10 after serial paper gasket failures, and he has no problems since. Will it work for me? We shall see!

John

[muskrat]

 Another good reason for the copper gaskets is that the rockerbox is the head steady and has a lot of forces acting on it. The copper gaskets give a more rigid fixing.
Cheers