More work on my customer's 1911 Model T Ford.
I always use some Permatex copper spray-a-gasket on these copper head gaskets. It helps them seal and lets them come off easy for the next time with minimal prying and scraping. I also put a little whiff of copper RTV around the coolant passages and head bolts to keep coolant in the coolant side and out of bolt holes.
I've found copper gasket quality has gone down over the last few years. The last MGB head gasket I put in heaved coolant out because the fire rings don't crush enough for the rest of the gasket to seal properly.
Head on and torqued with new head bolts. Henry doesn't give a torque value beyond "tight with an X long wrench". 55ft/lbs seems to be the accepted value. Head was torqued to 25, then 45, then 55. Once it heat cycles, I'll torque it again.
Engine is turned nose-down. Transmission is placed on the crankshaft, bolts installed, torqued and safety
wired.
Clutch finger height set. The little bolt has been machined to exactly 13/16" to use as a gauge. You can use a wheel nut too. Once the height is set, the cotter pins are installed.
Shawn, where did you get the gasket? Olsen? All parts quality has gone down hill lately.
The gasket for the Model T is from Lang's Old Car Parts. I haven't had issues with their parts yet.
The gasket that leaked on the MGB was (supposedly) a Lucas gasket which I got from a local British car supplier. I'm sure those guys are all sourcing their stuff from Moss who has been swallowed up by Eckler's.
The first copper gaskets I started having trouble with were a set in a Packard Twelve.
I've only ordered from Olsen Gasket a couple times. Their quality has been good but I haven't needed a head gasket from them yet.
Some number of years ago the founder of Olsen gave a talk at our Hershey Stutz Club dinner. It was interesting how they got in the business. I think the son or sons may have taken over the business.
NOS Head gaskets are always the way to go but they are quickly becoming unobtainium.
I was very surprised when the last head gasket that I got from Olson’s was an NOS. I’m sure those have long since dried up for more popular cars.
if they still have any buy another one. Even if you don't use it the next guy will love you for it.
I've seen similar complaints about solid copper head gaskets. Problem seems to be that they are not annealing them properly so they are too hard. Not too hard to tell the difference between hard and soft copper, If you hold the gasket by one end it should not be able to support the other end without bending.