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Triumph TR6 - Head Gasket

I have a replacement head gasket (Payen I think) that has a silvery coating on both sides. The coating is easily removed with a finger. What is the coating? Should it be removed? Should I spray with a copper gasket dressing before installation?

Thanks.

Rick O.
Rick Orthen

Hey, Rick. The last 2 head gaskets I installed were the same and from TRF, I think. I don't recall a silvery "coating", but the gasket itself appeared to have a teflon film on it. I always use the copper coat, BTW. The "silver" stuff is probably a gasket compound similar to the copper coat - probably no reason to remove it unless it's unevenly applied, and should be ok to overspray with copper coat.
Brent B

Thanks Brent. The copper gasket spray I have leaves a tacky film--does that present a future head removal problem? Or does the engine heat eventually vaporize the tackiness leaving just the copper particles?
Sorry for such fundamental questions, but I want to do this right the first time.

Rick O.
Rick Orthen

The longest I've gone between head removals is about 4 years and the copper has not caused any removal problems. There will be a residue on the head surfaces, and that cleans off nicely with mineral spirits. That's contrast to the first time I removed the head and had to put the spark plugs back in and crank the engine to break it loose. And then it was scrape with a razor blade & buff with wire wheel to get old gasket off. Bad memories....

BB
Brent B

I have assumed that the Payen Head Gasket is a modern carbon type ow which I have changed skads on all kinds of cars and the word is - handle with care and use NO sealant of any kind.Have never had a failure,and my own TR, TeResa is fine.Have also installed several Payens on MGs, also w/o problem(or sealant). Cleanliness and systematic torquing are the keys.Definately remove ALL trace of old gaskets and trace surface w/ your fingertip - you can feel more than you can see.And be absolutely sure the head is FLAT in all directions. A skim is $50 if unsure. Peter
Peter Gooch

And, of course, the age old method of checking for flat...

Piece of glass. Piece of wet or dry sandpaper or emery paper laid upon the glass and secured with some method or other...

Gingerly lay the head on the emery or sandpaper and move the head across it.

The sandpaper or emery will show you the low spots, if any, or the high spots, if any, depending on how you look at it.

Jim (old school)
Jim Deatsch

This thread was discussed between 14/01/2004 and 20/01/2004

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