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An old chestnut I know but which is currently considered the most reliable replacement headgasket?
The engine is a mildly tuned A series 1300 from the early 1970’s.
Any recommendations much appreciated
Cheers
Nick

After having failures with the BK450 I am now using the copper gasket with Wellseal . No problems since …. Ken

swifty wrote: ↑Sun Dec 29, 2024 6:43 pm After having failures with the BK450 I am now using the copper gasket with Wellseal . No problems since …. Ken

Thanks Ken.
Whose copper gasket do you use and any tips for applying the Wellseal ?
Cheers
Nick

I've had very good results with these;-

https://www.minispares.com/gug702560hg- ... nuine-type

Minispares copper gasket and just apply the Wellseal with a brush . Be quick applying it or you will drag it .. Ken

Spider wrote: ↑Sun Dec 29, 2024 9:38 pm I've had very good results with these;-

https://www.minispares.com/gug702560hg- ... nuine-type

Thanks Spider

swifty wrote: ↑Sun Dec 29, 2024 9:48 pm Minispares copper gasket and just apply the Wellseal with a brush . Be quick applying it or you will drag it .. Ken

Thanks Ken

A Payen BK450 is still the best available.
If they fail, it's the engine builders fault, not the gasket quality.

The green original Rover type also work well.

ALL the Copper gaskets are garbage. I wouldn't use one on my lawnmower.

COMETIC, for anything special.

SPO41 wrote: ↑Mon Dec 30, 2024 8:53 am A Payen BK450 is still the best available.
If they fail, it's the engine builders fault, not the gasket quality.

The green original Rover type also work well.

ALL the Copper gaskets are garbage. I wouldn't use one on my lawnmower.

COMETIC, for anything special.

Thanks

SPO41 wrote: ↑Mon Dec 30, 2024 8:53 am ALL the Copper gaskets are garbage. I wouldn't use one on my lawnmower.

Out of interest, what makes you say this?

This is one of those subjects that will have the answer being only someone’s opinion and what works right for them … If copper gaskets are so bad then why have I never had a failure? . Minispares say that if using a BK450 gasket that you first need to start the engine with no water in it to seal the gasket ! . I personally won’t be doing that on a newly built engine … Ken

Exminiman wrote: ↑Mon Dec 30, 2024 11:07 am

SPO41 wrote: ↑Mon Dec 30, 2024 8:53 am ALL the Copper gaskets are garbage. I wouldn't use one on my lawnmower.

Out of interest, what makes you say this?

Experience.

SPO41 wrote: ↑Tue Dec 31, 2024 1:39 am

Exminiman wrote: ↑Mon Dec 30, 2024 11:07 am

SPO41 wrote: ↑Mon Dec 30, 2024 8:53 am ALL the Copper gaskets are garbage. I wouldn't use one on my lawnmower.

Out of interest, what makes you say this?

Experience.

And……care to elaborate ?

Out of interest are you the 850man that was banned ?….very similar type of posts

Exminiman wrote: ↑Tue Dec 31, 2024 7:21 am

SPO41 wrote: ↑Tue Dec 31, 2024 1:39 am

Exminiman wrote: ↑Mon Dec 30, 2024 11:07 am

Out of interest, what makes you say this?

Experience.

And……care to elaborate ?

Out of interest are you the 850man that was banned ?….very similar type of posts

Yeah, don't believe everything Chris has to say. As usual, "never let the truth get in the way of a good story"

I know of 850man. But what's that got to do with facts.
My experience is that modern Copper head gaskets are woefull. The Payen BK450 is a better option out of the box.

I've only got experience of the BK450 from about 10 years ago, and copper gaskets from the 80's and 90's and I didn't have any issues with either of them.
But, the currently available copper gaskets and BK450's seem to be a different matter with lots of issues being reported.
I've only used Cometic recently, but they're very expensive and need a perfectly smooth and flat finish on the block and head gasket faces to seal.

It’s also a FACT that I haven’t had any issues with copper head gaskets and will continue using them . FACT ….. Ken