Copper Head Gaskets

[Leny Mason]

We ordered head gaskets for my cammer , I assumed we were getting layered steel gaskets , what we got was Copper with rubber inlay around water passages, I have heard of using copper when not running water, it is super charged so maybe that is why the sent copper. Leny Mason   

[blykins]

Leny, I'd run a Cometic head gasket on that application.

[Hemi Joel]

Copper is a leak looking for a place to happen.

[Tommy-T]

Leny,
I used the SCE Titan copper gasket as you described when I first put together my 8-71 blown 427. They worked fine functionally, but always seemed to seep a little coolant or oil. Not enough to make a drip to the ground, but just some seepage around the perimeter of the cylinder head.

Changed to Cometics and never looked back...even used the same head gaskets 3 times with no problem.

I must admit I've never had a problem with the Felpro 1020. They probably would have worked just fine with my blown deal too.

The SCE's are hang'n on the wall. I'd have no problem using them again on a budget deal.

[turbohunter]

Copper ain’t for street cars that do any mileage.
I’m sure there are guys that have done it with success but I know for a fact my brother would not recommend them for street cars and he sells a boatload of copper.

[jayb]

I have to use copper on my big SOHC engine because the bore spacing is spread.  A custom copper head gasket is the only way I can go.  The engine only stays together for a few thousand miles before I tear it down, but I haven't had leak issues.  Probably would though, if I tried to put 10K miles on them.  One advantage to copper is that they transfer heat better than any other head gasket material.  Leny, if you are running a lot of boost, that may be why you ended up with copper, to combat the heat.  The other thing is the bore size, the thinner the area between adjacent bores, the more likely it is to blow a hole in the gasket due to heat.  Copper wicks away the heat better than anything else.  So if you have a really big bore in the block, and a minimum area between the bores, copper will be your friend.

If you're not on the ragged edge of boost or bore size, I'd agree than an MLS gasket would be a better choice - Jay

[turbohunter]

You’re so articulate.

[jayb]

Your brother is the articulate one, Marc, he was the one who schooled me on head gaskets.

[Falcon67]

FWIW - I used Cometic on the 393C in the dragster last year.  Nothing but trouble.  Leaked internally, rust in bores, heating issues, air in the cooling system.  Used regular Felpro Blue items this year - no issues.