Inliners International Forums General Discussion Engines Best Gasket; Copper or Not for the Head Gasket?

Greetings . . . about to pull the trigger on a gasket set for my 216 build. Looking at the 'Best' brand. They have a graphite core head gasket with copper laminated on both sides (for a few bucks more) as well as a more conventional graphite and steel laminate. I have heard good and bad about copper head gaskets.

Both the head and the deck have been resurfaced by the machinist. Compression ratio will be in the neighborhood of 8.5:1 . . .

Opinions? Recommendations?

regards,
stock49

Whatever Best recommends.

I suspect they have something specific in mind for their "upgraded" gasket, be that high compression, or caustic coolant.

I have heard of coolant leaks when using full copper gaskets.
If it's a race engine & gets torn down frequently full copper is OK.

Otherwise, conventional graphite and steel laminate I would think work just fine. JMO.

MBHD

Yes. I have heard of others having coolant seepage when using using solid copper - especially if the surfaces aren't perfectly smooth and square. The Best gasket is constructed from two .010 sheets of copper laminated onto graphite core:
Best RS502C
But since this is a street build I guess I will just go with the conventional gasket.

I had problems with copper gaskets and aluminum heads years ago. I was told is was electrolysis cause by the contact of the three different metal and the coolant.
I like BEST gaskets and agree with Erik about using the one they recommend.

I have written them requesting a recommendation, as well as, the rationale for choosing between Copper laminate over GraphTite.

I have used the GraphTite head gasket on GMC rebuilds and have been pretty happy. 9.5:1 compression and 10,000 miles/year and no issues. It is a quality gasket.

Thanks Ken . . . leaning toward the GraphTite myself.

I appreciate all the posts and feedback.

I wrote to Best asking how one goes about selecting between the Copper laminate and the GraphTite gaskets. Seems it is as simple as cylinder head composition - Aluminum versus Cast Iron. Their reply is below.

regards,
stock49

"Copper would be best with a cast iron head and the composite head gasket
would work for an aluminum head.

Roy Lucero

http://www.bestgasket.com
Ph (888)333-2378 Ph (562)699-6631 Fax (562)699-5034"