Vintage Engine Maintenance

[sansouci]

Can I ask what the vintage guys out there find best to coat plain copper gaskets with when refitting a cylinder head on a vintage diesel engine?

 

The manual suggests I use soft soap, I have heard of greese as an alternative. Any other ideas?

 

Thanks

[churchward]

Can I ask what the vintage guys out there find best to coat plain copper gaskets with when refitting a cylinder head on a vintage diesel engine?

 

The manual suggests I use soft soap, I have heard of greese as an alternative. Any other ideas?

 

Thanks

What's wrong with soap?

[Timleech]

Can I ask what the vintage guys out there find best to coat plain copper gaskets with when refitting a cylinder head on a vintage diesel engine?

 

The manual suggests I use soft soap, I have heard of greese as an alternative. Any other ideas?

 

Thanks

 

Are all the surfaces in good order, and new gaskets?

If so, I would follow the manual or smear with oil.

Otherwise, Wellseal is good, but make sure you go round the nuts again after 5 minutes or so.

 

Tim

[sansouci]

What's wrong with soap?

 

soft soap it is then, thanks guys

 

I might be blowing bubbles from now on instead of smoke rings....

[Malarky]

Is the soap to stop it sticking to the metal, or something to help break up any particles of grease that got on it in the final crunch?

You can recondition the old gasket by boiling it in oil.