Head Gaskets, Copper or Black BK450?

[surfblue63]

As per the title, which is better, old style copper gasket or a BK450 Payen Black gasket?

My engine is 1275 +30 with a big valve head. Unsure of the chamber size.

[mk1]

It took me a long time to "trust" a BK450, but eventually I had to use one & have been pleased with the results since.

m

[rich@minispares.com]

tam1521 always

all the Irish rally boys use them, and ive never, ever done a head gasket when ive been using one.

even when my 1430 got WHITE HOT when it spewed all its coolant out it never had any issues

[Andrew1967]

Copper every time.

Dad has used them all through his 55+ years in the trade and won't use anything else on an A series.

[irlmin]

BK450 '/ TAM 1521 black' gasket always NEVER a failure , We stopped using Copper when the AHT188 with 'full fat' asbestos was outlawed and that was a while ago
G

[GeorgeA]

BK450 (tam1521) Every time day in day out

Ive used them on all my motorsport activities (and road cars) and ive never done a head gasket even when i lost all my radiator fan blades and i was relying on the air coming through the grill to keep everything cool lol

[Andrew1967]

Seems I'm out-voted

[surfblue63]

I asked as I have had both fail. I will try BK450 again.

[Vegard]

There was a batch of duff Belgish Bk450s a couple of years ago. I had such fail on me, but never an English one.

[ianh1968]

Some of this is quite interesting, especially Spider's suggestion
of oil-stoning the surfaces flat before fitting the head...

viewtopic.php?f=3&t=9463

I am wondering how much "doing the head up too tight"
has to do with gasket life as well, as one I had to replace
looked quite "crushed" between No2 & No3...


Could it have been seriously weakened before it was even
fired up?

Ian

[850man]

Copper Gaskets are rubbish these days

BK450 Turbo spec gasket are the best for most applications.

I use a Cometic gasket in our race engine now, but both the block & head need to be surface ground first.

[Spider]

Copper every time.

Dad has used them all through his 55+ years in the trade and won't use anything else on an A series.

There was a batch of duff Belgish Bk450s a couple of years ago. I had such fail on me, but never an English one.

I've nearly always used the Copper Head Gaskets, I did try a few BK450's, they were unmarked as far as the Belguim / English bit goes, but none the less, they all failed, I know they have their following but IMO, they are rubbish, never again. They are also a heat insulator.

Cooper ones, used right won't give trouble, BUT as I've always said the preparation has to be 110% or you'll wish you'd never seen one.

Going OT, 850man, who's the charming young lady?

[850man]

Going OT, 850man, who's the charming young lady?

Just some chick that was in a movie once..

https://youtu.be/5_sQ5Yjzpbs

[Spider]

Going OT, 850man, who's the charming young lady?

Just some chick that was in a movie once..

https://youtu.be/5_sQ5Yjzpbs

Just to further the 'cat' theory;- Yes, I thought she was familiar

[Johnny]

What great timing for this topic.

I hope to be bolting my head back onto my 1293 in the next couple days.
I purchased both a TAM1521 and a GEG300 and was not sure which one to fit.

[abri]

Does the AF470 feature in this competition? Last time I redid a head I wanted to put on an AF460 Copper gasket but the section between #2 and 3 did not line up perfectly with the meat between the cylinders. Had an AF470 recommended by a mechanic and it line up perfectly.