Solid Copper Head Gasket

[dh13]

So I was searching/reading up on the Mechanical Lifter head MLS head gaskets that a few have had made by Gaskets-to-go. Some People mentioned that they have been reusing there mls gakets with good luck. I was wondering what you all thought about a solid copper gasket? This would be reusable of course.

I am looking for options other than a stock fiber gasket for my TD build. I have a friend that has a CNC plasma cutting and If I was able to get my hands on a CAD file I would be able to take it to him and have him cut the gasket for me. The only problem with that is finding the material. I looked on McMaster-Carr and found Copper sheeting, They have

0.062 in

1/16in = 0.0625 in

0.063 ~ 1.60mm (0.06299 in)


Basically those three could be used to make either a 2 or 3 notch equivalent gasket. I'm sure I can find more sizes online or in town locally.

My question is will a straight flat gasket (meaning a non crush gasket) will work and hold as well as a mls with crush ridges?

Copper is quite a bit softer than steel and could be re-torqued after a full engine warm up to soften it a bit. Also I know that when ever I do a headgasket I use a thin layer of Silver/Aluminum paint to fill in the pores of the material for a good seal. I have always had good success with this process.

Let me know what you all think. I am just trying to find an alternative to using a 1.9l gasket and dealing with the extra hole.

[53 willys]

I dont suggest reusing a MLS gasket...if you are refering to me reuseing my "gaskets to go" MLS gasket the only reason I reused it was becauase it had like 40 miles on it since new and NEVER got full crush to seal...dont buy one with the intention of reusing it.

as for full copper gasket I read up on it and even found a member on here who tried one and poped it in the low to mid 20 psi range IIRC(andy's build)

I dont think a full copper gasket will last very long..they are meant to be ran with SS fire rings from what I heard...

[dh13]

I dont suggest reusing a MLS gasket...if you are refering to me reuseing my "gaskets to go" MLS gasket the only reason I reused it was becauase it had like 40 miles on it since new and NEVER got full crush to seal...dont buy one with the intention of reusing it.

as for full copper gasket I read up on it and even found a member on here who tried one and poped it in the low to mid 20 psi range IIRC(andy's build)

I dont think a full copper gasket will last very long..they are meant to be ran with SS fire rings from what I heard...

My intent is not to reuse it. I was just stating that it could be done if need be. After doing some more research I have found that there are several companies that make copper head gaskets. Some with fire rings and some without. I will be calling a fee of them this week to see what they say. I think a MLS would be the best route but I am trying to find another company that will make one.

Does any one have a CAD file for the mechanical lifter head gasket?

[53 willys]

all the copper gasket companies I called said they did not have bore holes small enough for the VW...so they could not make me one in the size I needed..post up any info you find if you do find a copper gasket that works.....
MLS IS the best route IMO....nobody in the usa will make them for you though...I have tried..cometic will run you some all you have to do is front the $15,000 for the first 150 gaskets..lol



somebody on here does have a CAD file for the mech gaskets...but I forget who it was??

[53 willys]

here is the post from andrew for the cad file....

They might give you a better deal if you deliver the CAD to them.  Here it is in DXF:

Mechanical Headgasket DXF

Andrew

[53 willys]

here is some more reading for you.....
http://www.vwdiesel.net/forum/index.php?topic=17294.0

[53 willys]

here is the post from andrew for the cad file....

They might give you a better deal if you deliver the CAD to them.  Here it is in DXF:

Mechanical Headgasket DXF

Andrew

That file hosting account expired.  If anyone is actually going to use the CAD file, I can e-mail it.

oh ok...I had no way of reading the DXF style files thats why I never could use your file...

[theman53]

I have an email from andrew for it and I have a customer that has made custom HG for tractors that are really old and hard to find. He has a lazer cutter and if we could get the flat copper and somehow stainless rings to stick on there we could do it. I can also probably get him to do a couple for next to nothing

[dh13]

53 willys- Is how is your Gaskets-to-go HG holding up? have you had any problems with it?

[dh13]

So I just got off the phone with Cometic, seeing what the charge would be to have an MLS gasket made.

The price for tooling is going to be the issue. The price is $3000. As of right now I don't think this is going to be an option, unless we could get a ton of folks that want some gaskets.

[53 willys]

Why don't you just get one from gaskets to go???
Mine was 160$ from them.

Cometic has come down since I called last year...they wanted like 15k for a run...

[theman53]

tell me how to make a head gasket and we can do it. I have a guy that will cut them cheap...I just need to find the copper and figure out how to put the SS rings on it. Let me know.

[Turbinepowered]

So I just got off the phone with Cometic, seeing what the charge would be to have an MLS gasket made.

The price for tooling is going to be the issue. The price is $3000. As of right now I don't think this is going to be an option, unless we could get a ton of folks that want some gaskets.

If we could bring them down in the $100 each range I'd be up to buy one.

If we could get them down into the $50-60 range I'd buy two. Maybe even three.

[dh13]

So I just got off the phone with Cometic, seeing what the charge would be to have an MLS gasket made.

The price for tooling is going to be the issue. The price is $3000. As of right now I don't think this is going to be an option, unless we could get a ton of folks that want some gaskets.

If we could bring them down in the $100 each range I'd be up to buy one.

If we could get them down into the $50-60 range I'd buy two. Maybe even three.

I will work on getting a final price for the gasket itself. I know for a fact that they will be less than $100. I need to sell about 200 to make this worth while.

How many would buy one or two of these?

[Rabbit on Roids]

i would buy a bunch.