Copper head gaskets

Discuss all things Model T related.
Forum rules
If you need help logging in, or have question about how something works, use the Support forum located here Support Forum
Complete set of Forum Rules Forum Rules

Topic author
Randy SR
Posts: 30
Joined: Sun Jan 06, 2019 11:44 pm
First Name: Randall
Last Name: Schultz-Rathbun
* REQUIRED* Type and Year of Model Ts owned: 1926 roadster pickup
Location: Brush Prairie, WA

Copper head gaskets

Post by Randy SR » Fri May 15, 2020 1:03 pm

I'm installing a Prus head on my 26 roadster, and the copper head gaskets are all on back order. I talked to the folks at Snyders, they said there was a mistake in the last order they received, the head gaskets were for Model A, not Model T. When they caught the mistake, the factory had been shut down due to the corona virus. They expect to receive copper head gaskets in late June.

My options seem to be 1) use the steel head gasket (Lang's has them in stock), 2) use the silicon head gasket (also in stock, but previous forum posts lead me to believe this isn't a good option, or 3) try to re-use my copper head gasket.

What suggestions do you have?


Dan McEachern
Posts: 1180
Joined: Sun Jan 06, 2019 11:08 am
First Name: DAN
Last Name: MCEACHERN
* REQUIRED* Type and Year of Model Ts owned: too many. '14 touring, 2 depot hacks, 2 speedsters
Location: ALAMEDA,CA,USA

Re: Copper head gaskets

Post by Dan McEachern » Fri May 15, 2020 1:11 pm

Have you tried calling Best Gasket?


rickg
Posts: 76
Joined: Sun Jan 06, 2019 2:44 pm
First Name: Richard
Last Name: Goelz
* REQUIRED* Type and Year of Model Ts owned: 1924 Fordor, 1926 Coupe, 1923 popcorn Truck
Location: Knoxville, Tn
MTFCA Number: 24965

Re: Copper head gaskets

Post by rickg » Fri May 15, 2020 1:30 pm

Try Antique Auto Ranch in Spokane, they have the copper gasket with the black core.

Rick


Art Ebeling
Posts: 408
Joined: Sun Jan 06, 2019 10:43 am
First Name: Art
Last Name: Ebeling
* REQUIRED* Type and Year of Model Ts owned: 1911 touring 14 runabout
Location: Hillsboro IL
MTFCA Number: 50718

Re: Copper head gaskets

Post by Art Ebeling » Fri May 15, 2020 2:02 pm

The same thing happened to me so I got on EBAY and found Mac's had them. That was a couple of weeks ago and they showed several in stock. I had never ordered from them before and have seen them get beat up in some forums so after I hit the buy it now button I called them to confirm that it was in stock. No problems, got it a couple of days later. Art


Topic author
Randy SR
Posts: 30
Joined: Sun Jan 06, 2019 11:44 pm
First Name: Randall
Last Name: Schultz-Rathbun
* REQUIRED* Type and Year of Model Ts owned: 1926 roadster pickup
Location: Brush Prairie, WA

Re: Copper head gaskets

Post by Randy SR » Fri May 15, 2020 2:17 pm

I called Mac's, they have run out of them too. Antique Auto Ranch is now only open on Tuesday and Wednesday, so I will have to wait to call them.

User avatar

Steve Jelf
Posts: 6463
Joined: Fri Jan 04, 2019 9:37 pm
First Name: Steve
Last Name: Jelf
* REQUIRED* Type and Year of Model Ts owned: 1923 touring and a few projects
Location: Parkerfield, Kansas
MTFCA Number: 16175
MTFCI Number: 14758
Board Member Since: 2007
Contact:

Re: Copper head gaskets

Post by Steve Jelf » Fri May 15, 2020 2:55 pm

What suggestions do you have?

Call other dealers and see if one of them has it in stock.
The inevitable often happens.
1915 Runabout
1923 Touring


Wayfarer
Posts: 97
Joined: Fri Jan 03, 2020 10:04 pm
First Name: Cory
Last Name: Woerth
* REQUIRED* Type and Year of Model Ts owned: 26 engine on a stand, Canadian '23 center door
Location: Colorado Springs CO
Board Member Since: 2020

Re: Copper head gaskets

Post by Wayfarer » Fri May 15, 2020 4:51 pm

Lang's, Bob's, Snyders, Birdhaven, and Mac were all out when I was looking a week or so ago.
if you find one, PM me !

User avatar

Steve Jelf
Posts: 6463
Joined: Fri Jan 04, 2019 9:37 pm
First Name: Steve
Last Name: Jelf
* REQUIRED* Type and Year of Model Ts owned: 1923 touring and a few projects
Location: Parkerfield, Kansas
MTFCA Number: 16175
MTFCI Number: 14758
Board Member Since: 2007
Contact:

Re: Copper head gaskets

Post by Steve Jelf » Fri May 15, 2020 5:33 pm

There are a few others to try.

**Model T Haven, KS (620) 365-6709 modelthaven@nautilus.net

*Lang’s, MA (978) 297-1919 www.modeltford.com

*Bob’s, IL (815) 633-7244 ModelT2001@comcast.net

*Snyder’s, OH (330) 549-5313 don@snydersantiqueauto.com

*Chaffin’s, CA (951) 735-4791 www.chaffinsgarage.com

**Ron Paetz, Lone Pine Enterprises, WI (608) 604-7534 lonepine@mwt.net

**Julius & Marvin Neunhoffer, TX (830) 257-8168 9hoffer@maverickbbs.com

**Dave Huson, 2116 Charro Ave. Longmont, Co. 80504
Phone 313-774-9246
email modelt112@msn.com

**Bob Hagelgantz, KS (785) 731-5285 loah@gbta.net

*Birdhaven Vintage Auto Supply, IA (515) 674-3949

*Antique Auto Ranch 2225 N. Dollar Rd. in Spokane Valley, WA 99212
(509) 535-7789

*Andy Loso
323 W MN ST
St Joseph, MN 56374
(320) 293-1953

*Steve's T Works, LLC
Model T Ford Service, Repair, New & Used Parts.
Longbranch, WA
(253) 884-1925

*Smith & Jones
60 Wisconsin Street
West Columbia
SC 29170
(803) 822-4141

*Adam’s Antique Auto Parts LLC
847 West South Street
Oconomowoc
WI 53066
(262) 567-6027

* New & refurbished parts (Also used parts not advertised; you have to ask.)
** All or mostly used parts
The inevitable often happens.
1915 Runabout
1923 Touring

User avatar

Susanne
Posts: 1045
Joined: Sat Apr 13, 2019 6:06 pm
First Name: Susanne
Last Name: Rohner
* REQUIRED* Type and Year of Model Ts owned: Late '15 touring, "Angel".
Location: Valfabbrica, (central) Italy
MTFCA Number: 464
MTFCA Life Member: YES
Board Member Since: 1999
Contact:

Re: Copper head gaskets

Post by Susanne » Fri May 15, 2020 5:39 pm

You may end up having to anneal it and re-use it... depends if it's solid copper or composite. You can't re-anneal composites, but you can if they're solids.

Heat the gasket up to red, then quench it - exactly the opposite of steel, quenching copper will re-soften it.


FordFool
Posts: 168
Joined: Mon Jan 28, 2019 4:49 pm
First Name: Don
Last Name: Kirtley
* REQUIRED* Type and Year of Model Ts owned: 13 and 16 touring, 18 and 20 coup, 20 tudor
Location: Devore, CA
MTFCA Number: 23703
MTFCI Number: 23153
Board Member Since: 2009

Re: Copper head gaskets

Post by FordFool » Fri May 15, 2020 5:49 pm

I have three hanging in my garage. Check your email and call me. Don

User avatar

Walter Higgins
Posts: 273
Joined: Sun Jan 06, 2019 12:18 pm
First Name: Walter
Last Name: Higgins
* REQUIRED* Type and Year of Model Ts owned: 1911 Open Runabout
Location: Realville, PA
MTFCA Number: 396
MTFCA Life Member: YES
MTFCI Number: 153

Re: Copper head gaskets

Post by Walter Higgins » Fri May 15, 2020 5:59 pm

Susanne wrote:
Fri May 15, 2020 5:39 pm
Heat the gasket up to red, then quench it - exactly the opposite of steel, quenching copper will re-soften it.

With copper whether you quench it or leave it to air cool the result will be the same.


Lgitts
Posts: 50
Joined: Sun Jan 06, 2019 5:03 pm
First Name: Les
Last Name: Gitts
* REQUIRED* Type and Year of Model Ts owned: '11 Torpedo, '13 Towncar, '22 Centerdoor
Location: Ferndale, Washington

Re: Copper head gaskets

Post by Lgitts » Fri May 15, 2020 6:32 pm

Try Olson Gaskets in Port Orchard, WA.


Scott_Conger
Posts: 6428
Joined: Sun Jan 06, 2019 11:18 am
First Name: Scott
Last Name: Conger
* REQUIRED* Type and Year of Model Ts owned: '13, '15, '19, '23
Location: Clark, WY
Board Member Since: 2005

Re: Copper head gaskets

Post by Scott_Conger » Fri May 15, 2020 7:12 pm

OK
I'll bite: Who here is really using a solid copper head gasket on a stock T engine? Why?
Scott Conger

Tyranny under the guise of law is still Tyranny

NH Full Flow Float Valves
Obsolete carburetor parts manufactured

User avatar

Henry K. Lee
Posts: 5339
Joined: Sun Jan 06, 2019 11:09 am
First Name: Henry
Last Name: Lee
* REQUIRED* Type and Year of Model Ts owned: Many
Location: South Pittsburg, TN
MTFCA Number: 479
MTFCA Life Member: YES

Re: Copper head gaskets

Post by Henry K. Lee » Fri May 15, 2020 7:18 pm

I think the only reason to use a solid copper gasket Scott would be to compensate for super over size valves, which really from just my experience does not perform well. To much restriction in the exit/entrance ports.

Just my $0.03 worth,

Hank


Kevin Pharis
Posts: 1354
Joined: Thu Jan 10, 2019 3:54 pm
First Name: Kevin
Last Name: Pharis
Location: Sacramento CA

Re: Copper head gaskets

Post by Kevin Pharis » Fri May 15, 2020 7:42 pm

When I started making solid copper gaskets 10+ years ago... it was because I was running 1.720” diameter intake valves in a flathead, and reshaping a copper clad gasket is a real bugger. At that time there was a few OHV guys that were lookin for a stronger gasket, and the 4 valve RAJO crowd was plain out of luck.

I warned everyone who bought one of my gaskets that solid copper was only the best option when there were no other options. I ran a .035” solid copper flat head gasket for almost 10 years with no issues, and never had to remove the head because of gasket related issues.

Annealing does not require heating “red hot”, but simply warm enough to burn off the ink from a Sharpie marker. And air quench is adequate to anneal material this thin. Water quenching and overheating can add unwanted distortion to the gasket as it will be quite soft when annealed and darn near playdough when red hot.

I now run the steel fire ring gaskets with the silicone overlay as they are a piece of cake to reshape the fire ring. I simply remove the fire ring, trim with tin snips, reshape the fire ring to a profile pattern I created, and gently reinstall into the gasket and crimp flat. They crush to about .060” when torqued, which lowered my compression slightly, and was a good thing👍

User avatar

Henry K. Lee
Posts: 5339
Joined: Sun Jan 06, 2019 11:09 am
First Name: Henry
Last Name: Lee
* REQUIRED* Type and Year of Model Ts owned: Many
Location: South Pittsburg, TN
MTFCA Number: 479
MTFCA Life Member: YES

Re: Copper head gaskets

Post by Henry K. Lee » Fri May 15, 2020 8:04 pm

BINGO Kevin!

User avatar

Susanne
Posts: 1045
Joined: Sat Apr 13, 2019 6:06 pm
First Name: Susanne
Last Name: Rohner
* REQUIRED* Type and Year of Model Ts owned: Late '15 touring, "Angel".
Location: Valfabbrica, (central) Italy
MTFCA Number: 464
MTFCA Life Member: YES
Board Member Since: 1999
Contact:

Re: Copper head gaskets

Post by Susanne » Sat May 16, 2020 1:09 am

Kevin, Ive never heard it explained this well or this easily... you, sir, rock, and this needs to go in the T annals of knowledge. I was always taught to bring it until the copper glows dull red and quench it fast (and it works) but if the burned sharpie works, that is huge... thank you!!!


SteveTN
Posts: 35
Joined: Fri Mar 27, 2020 8:29 am
First Name: Steve
Last Name: in Tennessee
* REQUIRED* Type and Year of Model Ts owned: '23 Cuttoff
Location: Whiskey Creek

Re: Copper head gaskets

Post by SteveTN » Sat May 16, 2020 12:44 pm

so for the future we should all be maintaining a stock of toilet paper, 16 gauge shotgun shells (mostly all I shoot and currently out of stock a lot of places), and copper head gaskets.

I may switch from hoarder to prepper yet.


Topic author
Randy SR
Posts: 30
Joined: Sun Jan 06, 2019 11:44 pm
First Name: Randall
Last Name: Schultz-Rathbun
* REQUIRED* Type and Year of Model Ts owned: 1926 roadster pickup
Location: Brush Prairie, WA

Re: Copper head gaskets

Post by Randy SR » Sat May 16, 2020 1:45 pm

As usual, I learned something new on the forum today. I didn't know there were solid copper gaskets, I was looking for a copper clad gasket.

Steve Jelf just doubled the number of suppliers I knew about.

I talked to Don today and he is going to set me up with one of his spares, so I hope to be back on the road soon, and am eager to try out the Prus head but running up the long hill I live on.


Charles J
Posts: 336
Joined: Mon Jan 14, 2019 3:57 pm
First Name: Charles
Last Name: Jenkins
* REQUIRED* Type and Year of Model Ts owned: Coupe
Location: Springfield OH
MTFCA Number: 28066
Board Member Since: 2017

Re: Copper head gaskets

Post by Charles J » Sat May 16, 2020 2:37 pm

Try gaslight Auto parts in Urbana Ohio I get a lot of parts hair that the other dealer say they're out of 800-242-6491


Les Schubert
Posts: 1311
Joined: Thu Jan 10, 2019 5:47 pm
First Name: Les
Last Name: Schubert
* REQUIRED* Type and Year of Model Ts owned: 27 roadster 13 touring
Location: Calgary

Re: Copper head gaskets

Post by Les Schubert » Sat May 16, 2020 4:16 pm

Further to Kelvin’s posting I did a run of solid copper laser cut gaskets for the 4 valve Rajo and also for the Prus head for over size valves. With the right gasket sealer on a perfectly machined deck no problems.

Recently I installed my 8 valve Roof (Laurel model 40) reusing a 30 year old used steel gasket. I’ve done a couple of run tests (with the water jacket full of water) with no problems

Post Reply Previous topicNext topic