making a copper fire ring on head gasket

[orlandoclippertim]

trying to make a new head gasket for 1954 25 horse. Found some gasket material at NAPA which is stainless steel core (perforated) and has a thick paper one one side. I am planning to glue a black composite 1/16 gasket material on the other side. my question is on the copper fire ring that the oregional ones had. I have made exhaust gaskets for old cars from composite (cut out with scissors/snips) and then made copper fire rings to go in the center. Just wondering if yall make fire rings to put in the center when you make head gaskets- and if you do - how do you make them ???????
It kind of looks like to me that the area between the head and block arround the cylinder is so narrow - that the fire ring might sort of function as a crush gasket
to help make a gas tight seal on the narrow ledge.

I made my fire rings on the lathe- made from copper foil from the craft store. how do yall make them ???????

Tim

 

[durban]

Re: making a copper fire ring on head gasket

NOVUS makes a high temp gasket sheet it takes over 1472 degrees farnhiet , try that its called hi-temp you may not need to make a ring using this

 

[durban]

Re: making a copper fire ring on head gasket

to make the ring you need a sheet met roller with 2 metal wheels that have a grooves in them on the bottom spaced apart one on top that is the tool its thin & comes down to the center between the 2 rollers by adjusting it , then you need a tube , the diameter of the tube must not be smaller than the sleevevery thin\wall thickness , cut a piece off , say 20mm place this ring in the roller the center of the pipe strip to center of roller adjust the pressure turn the handle it makes a perfect fire ring , have a look at a old sheet metal hand roller from the old days den you will get a better idea what iam talking about

 

[schematic]

Re: making a copper fire ring on head gasket

if your gasket looks like this....they are still available for purchase

 

[tx1961whaler]

Re: making a copper fire ring on head gasket

A 302583 head gasket is still available from a dealer.