VCCA Home Forums TECHNICAL - 1945 AND EARLIER 1929-1932 194 Head Gasket

I am in the middle of a valve job on my 194 out of my 31 chevy. Should I use a sealeant on my new copper head gasket? I was told to put liquid copper on it, but have not been able to find this compound. Also what are the torque specs on the head, and the torque sequence.

Some old school mechanics put wheel bearing grease on them. I don't use anything but have used grease in the past. As long as the block and head are within flatness specs the gasket should not require anything.

If using original soft head bolts I don't recommend higher than 60-65 ft. lbs. Start in the center and work out in a circular pattern. Snug up at about 20 ft. lbs. steps. I also back off and retorque each time to make sure that the bolt and head surface mate completely. I also do the same with the final tightening. Have found that when retorquing later nothing typically has changed.

Thanks Chipper

The liquid copper stuff is available from NAPA, but I agree with Chipper, you shouldn't need anything on the head gasket.

All the Best, Chip

I belive what you are looking for is KW Copper Coat. Used to be a staple at all parts stores, not used much these days. Might be difficult to find

I have used that stuff and man does it work great!

Thanks for all the input. When I removed the head it did not have any thing on it. So I will probably put it back that way. Someone had told me about the copper sealing material.

Just found out my heads cracked in two places. Tossing up having it repaired or trying to find another head. Any ideas?

Sorry to hear that. Head cracking is a pretty common problem on these engines. You can probably find a crack-free replacement by posting on the 'parts-wanted' section of this site, but it may take a while.

Personally, I would have the cracked head repaired. Just be sure you get someone who really knows what they're doing. This is not a job for the novice. I've used a guy in Savannah before, who does a LOT of this stuff. Send me a PM if that would help and I'll send you the details.

All the Best,

Chip

I noticed that there are a small and large water port on the back end of the surface the head mounts to. Is there supposed to be a small and large water port on the front of the block. If so why would someone fill them in? Ther is an outline of them on the front from the head gasket and the surface seems soft because I dug a litle out with a scraper. Any Ideas

The water ports on the front of the engine block were not filled in....there are no water ports in that location.

Thanks Dog Thats what I needed to hear.

Cool!

I got my head back. Its on and torqued. Putting on the rocker assembly. How far should the oil wicks stick out of the hole. Bought them from filling station. They seem to be too long. Do I lube them first or put them in dry?

When I installed the oil wicks in my car they were the proper length. The end of the oil wicks must rest against the top of the push rod and ball since that is the only way that area will get lubrication. You can install the oil wicks and then oil them by hand before starting the car.

I appreciate it again Dog. Maybe with any luck I'll be purring down the road at a mild 35 mph again this weekend.

Cool!

hey mychev, The copper sealer you are looking for is called Copper coat (made by caterpillar) it is still readily avaliable down here in Aus

I found it at Napa. Its good stuff.