Is there an issue with BK450 head gaskets?

[CooperTune]

I had two BK450 gaskets on hand and ordered two with my last MSC order. I installed one of the new ones on a 90 Rover Cooper engine rebuild. The cyl head and the block were surfaced. After torquing the head and sealing the cooling system I filled with plain water on test stand for break in. While connecting gauges I noticed water running down the front of the block. I removed the valve cover and backed off each head nut one at a time 1/2 turn and re torqued. No improvement. Removing the gasket all water transfer ports were leaking. I miked the compression sealing rings and found them .008 to.010 thicker than BK450s removed over the years. Both the new gaskets had a small four digit number stamped. The older gaskets on hand had a different 4 digit number. Now I'm concerned about using any of them. Steve (CTR)

[MagicWandWoody]

I had the same. Drips from the gasket without any pressure in the system, right after filling. But the cause of mine was forgetting to run the engine dry for 2-3 minutes to 'melt' the gasket.

Without dismantling I drained the coolant, left it to dry - which could have been for weeks I don't recall because the resto was very stop-start around then. Then I ran it for 3 minutes, cooled, then filled up. Mostly expecting it to fail because of the coolant I'd put in before and which was surely still present, but it worked fine. Lucky me.

Ended up replacing the gasket (with same) a few weeks later anyway, due to an unrelated problem. Did it right that time!

[swifty]

I will never use this gasket again after two failures last year on new built engines . Mini spares said that I had to start the engine with no water in it to seal the gasket . Let it cool down then fill with coolant . Honestly that sounds ridiculous to me , something I’m not going to do . Anyway I now use there version of the original copper gasket together with Wellseal . Works for me … Shirley

[Spider]

I have found them nothing more than the worlds most over rated head gasket. Utter junk.

[Exminiman]

I will never use this gasket again after two failures last year on new built engines . Mini spares said that I had to start the engine with no water in it to seal the gasket . Let it cool down then fill with coolant . Honestly that sounds ridiculous to me , something I’m not going to do . Anyway I now use there version of the original copper gasket together with Wellseal . Works for me … Shirley

plus one for Wellseal

[Mini-geek]

I will never use this gasket again after two failures last year on new built engines . Mini spares said that I had to start the engine with no water in it to seal the gasket . Let it cool down then fill with coolant . Honestly that sounds ridiculous to me , something I’m not going to do . Anyway I now use there version of the original copper gasket together with Wellseal . Works for me … Shirley

I’ve done this every time and never had an issue with one, just run it till the head is warm to touch (not hot) only take a minute or two, then leave it over night and fill with coolant.. I know lots of people who do this method and never had issues

[rnp68]

Minispares and Keith Calver both recommend the running warm with no coolant approach.

[Rolandino]

Im sorry, but for my S that Ive owned for over 50 years, I have always fitted the Copper Gasket, current part number GEG300 Ive only got one C-AHT188 genuine one left. The last one has lasted me for 20000 miles. The old stuff is still the best !

[BAD942B]

I will never use this gasket again after two failures last year on new built engines . Mini spares said that I had to start the engine with no water in it to seal the gasket . Let it cool down then fill with coolant . Honestly that sounds ridiculous to me , something I’m not going to do . Anyway I now use there version of the original copper gasket together with Wellseal . Works for me … Shirley

Used that gasket with wellseal 40 + years ago & it worked fine until the piston failed

[SPO41]

I had a batch of BK450 T gaskets that had issues in the past, so I sent them back. The replacements were perfect. I have used hundeds of them over the years and it has always been the preferred 1275 Gasket to use, even in the race car engines.

The Copper gaskets are indian made absolute garbage. I wouldn't even use one on a paddock basher.