Hi all,

I run a CNC Copper head gasket, its 1.5mm thick. For those who dont know, it decompresses your engine so you can run decent amounts of boost.

My dramas is this,

Copper head gaskets are a B1TCH to seal. You basically run your engine dry, get them warm and introduce a pepper block into your radiator with fresh water only. It helps copper fuse to create a seal in your water chambers.

I have had my head off 8 times within 6 months. I have had enough.

a) What else is there on the markets besides copper that dont have the dramas of getting them 2 seal. Like any form of material??

b)What else can I do? Like seriously. Im thinking about putting a standard head gasket on there, and just running 9psi and thats it, which is a shame because its got so much more potential power but ive had enough of this STUPID BLARDY COPPER HEAD GASKET!!!!:rant:


Will endevour to upload quiet a funny photo from todays efforts, wont give it away, but have you ever seen a hydro compressor magna?

Try using a multi layered steel gasket.

Will look into it, just gotta be available to be made for a 2.6.

My block is also o-ringed which is meant to help but seriously....I havent noticed one thing

has your head and block both been machined really well, maybe the place its being done at arent making a flat contact area?

heh, this is where it gets interesting.

The original head and block were machined at the same place, since I swapped the heads, its never sealed properly. but saying that, the 2nd head ive got on here now is new and was meant to be machined. Didnt get it checked though, but will have the head off tomorow and down at the workshop getting checked by the arvo

Stil wanna know other alternatives and options that are available for 2.6's

Looking into mulit layer steel....

This might be worth looking at as well

Deck preparation
http://jdm-insider.com/Blogs/Eric/?p=1025

scania trucks run a metal head gasket. you have to grease both sides to get it to seal properly. Only a thin coat of bearing grease.

As quoted off the above website:

"1. Warped head
2. Warped deck of block
3. Detonation
4. Lifting of the head due to detonation and/or weak head bolts
5. Flaws on deck of block or fire face of head
6. Too much horsepower (you need bigger or higher grade studs)
7. Poor surface preparation (see below)"


Maybe 1 (not confirmed)
Eliminate number 2
Eliminate number 3
Eliminate number 4 (I run ARP head studs)
Possibly 5 but definately not the block
Eliminate 6 (its a magna)
Eliminate 7

How much boost are you wanting to run?

There are a couple of options

MLS gaskets if available for your model

Or select the toughest head gasket you can find and use Threebond 1211 white liquid silicone on the block and head, let it dry for a half hour, then fit gasket and torque head down with new bolts. Then drive without boost for a couple of days, then retorque the head. All being well you should be able to boost it until the pistons go through the sump before the gasket will go.

The 1211 is also used by the top fuel guys with their copper gaskets, maybe you can go that way as well!

I its only running stock waste gate, 5 psi at the moment.

I coated the thing in Loctite 515 which is the purple stuff for gaskets....

Am doing some re-search as we speak... that stuff sounds kootah!

With the Threebond you apply an almost invisible smear, not more and do it extremely evenly. Of course take forever in the cleanup of the surfaces being to sure to absolutely eliminate any traces of oil or other contaminants

Would think everything being normal 14psi and a good tune should be safe as houses

With the Threebond you apply an almost invisible smear, not more and do it extremely evenly. Of course take forever in the cleanup of the surfaces being to sure to absolutely eliminate any traces of oil or other contaminants

Would think everything being normal 14psi and a good tune should be safe as houses

Off the website:

Corrodes copper and copper-based alloys. Can not be used for copper and copper-based alloys in tightly-sealed state.



Cannot be used for tightly sealed state? meaning? Head Gaskets?

I thought spacer gaskets to lower compression were meant to have a normal head gasket on both sides to seal?

i wouldnt use loctite 515. It is meant for flange type joints. If i were you, i would clean up the gasket, and the deck/head and try a very light coat copper gasket spray and see if that works.

I would almost bet my left one that the reason for your woes is the 515.

Tried copper spray, no luck, just leaked out everywhere

Tried 515, no luck

So try this other stuff

I thought spacer gaskets to lower compression were meant to have a normal head gasket on both sides to seal?


This is not a spacer gasket

This is a replacement head gasket... 1 piece

have you tried it dry, as in bone dry, and clean as a whistle? Wipe it down with prepsol and a lint free cloth type jobby?