Metal head gasket coating. Which do you use?

[cjshaker]

I'm doing a valve guide repair job on a friends 2N Ford tractor. The replacement head gasket is a multi-layer steel type, with a smooth surface. I don't want to put this on dry because I just don't believe it'll seal up the water ports good. Years ago I remember a copper coat type spray coating that was considered a good one, but that may have changed over the years.

Does anyone have a good recommendation for metal head gasket coatings?

[blykins]

Permatex Copper Coat spray will work. 

[cjshaker]

That's what I remember people using. I guess when something works, you don't mess with it. Thanks, Brent.

FYI, Summit had it, but shipping more than doubled the cost. Amazon was basically the same price, with free shipping.

[RustyCrankshaft]

Copper coat or Hytac I think are the best. But I have seen, and used enamel in a spray bomb in a pinch and it worked.

[MeanGene]

I'm wondering why he would have went with a MLS gasket on an N tractor with 6:1 compression ratio? There's an excellent FelPro gasket for about $25 that needs no sealer and works very well. I replaced the radiator on my '50 8N about a year ago, and figured since the hood/tank was already off, might as well do the 75 year old HG too. The original gasket was in perfect condition and if you were a farmer needing to get going, could have been put back on and run. Took about an hour to install the FelPro, only because I took the time to chase the threads on the studs

[cjshaker]

I'm wondering why he would have went with a MLS gasket on an N tractor with 6:1 compression ratio? There's an excellent FelPro gasket for about $25 that needs no sealer and works very well. I replaced the radiator on my '50 8N about a year ago, and figured since the hood/tank was already off, might as well do the 75 year old HG too. The original gasket was in perfect condition and if you were a farmer needing to get going, could have been put back on and run. Took about an hour to install the FelPro, only because I took the time to chase the threads on the studs

That's the gasket that came with the kit that was purchased. While the rest of the gasket kit seems typical, and well made, I felt the same way about the MLS gasket. The old head gasket was definitely not usable after removing. For starters, the tractor had sat outside for years and the head would not release with all the stud nuts removed, so I had to drive a thin scraper blade between them around the circumference of the head to get it off. Beyond that, the gasket was not in good shape even without that damage. I thought about getting the Felpro, but I didn't see the need to spend more of his money, and this one should be fine as long as it seals.

[MeanGene]

Yeah, those things are simple as dirt, made so the average farmer could work on them. Mine is now 76 years old, but has 1154 original hours on it, and sounds like a Singer, steering is tight, everything works. Very relaxing to head out back with the mower for an hour. When I was a kid in NY my gramps had one that had been worked hard as an ag lime loader for years, and had the flathead Merc piston big bore kit with no muffler. I plowed snow with it for years, it would holler pretty good