sce copper head gasket

monkihead

monkihead

driven to thrill
Jul 23, 2005
93
0
0
texas
Anyone else running one of these? I just got mine on, finally. Drove the car approx. 20mi so far, on stock boost. No problems yet, but will be cranking it up to 12psi in another week or two. Anyone have comments of wisdom, or what to expect? Just as an fyi, I also had the head o-ringed, in an s-pattern between pairs of cylinders.
 
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monkihead

monkihead

driven to thrill
Jul 23, 2005
93
0
0
texas
pics of the o-ringing? or the engine bay? can take some this weekend. I don't drive it daily yet, but will be this weekend. I not sure if its in my head or not, but it feels a tad slower. I'm running a slightly thicker than stock gasket, lowering the compression to roughly 8.0:1. That and the last time i drove it, was peaking 14, steady 12psi.
will be retorquing on Sunday, plan on driving it around the block first. Have the arp head studs on it, torqued to 90lbs. The bad part is I got the head used, so I don't really know how good the condition is. So far so good.
 
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LordLo

New Member
Jun 20, 2006
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OR
lower comp will make you lose power throughout the powerband, but you can boost more without detonating.
 
monkihead

monkihead

driven to thrill
Jul 23, 2005
93
0
0
texas
buldozr said:
where abouts you from?(that was done in the thickest southern accent you could imagine)
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San Antonio, originally. lived in Dallas for a while then moved back home. Car resides in Somerset. I have room to bring home now, but had too many cars in the driveway.

LordLo said:
lower comp will make you lose power throughout the powerband, but you can boost more without detonating.
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that was the idea. The goal was 400whp, but I may go a bit further with it. Its suppose to be my toy, but its going to be the daily driver for a few months. The cressidas engine took a crap and the mustang isn't mine.

tweak666 said:
i'm running a copper headgasket on an o-ringed block. it hasn't been run much yet, just from the shop to my house
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are you trying to be sarcastic? Between work and school, its hard to find time to work on the car. I was able to put a few miles on it on a test drive up and down the street.
 
tweak666

tweak666

New Member
May 11, 2006
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boca raton, FL
no, not being sarcastic. its a work in progress. once the motor was together and in the car, i had to get it home to finish working on it. i gotta get the transmission on so i can break in the engine and clutch and retorque the head. almost there though
 
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IJ.

Grumpy Old Man
Mar 30, 2005
38,728
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I come from a land down under
Sounds like a single wire that starts between the bores and does an S around 2 bores and joins back on itself.

Would take some trick machine work to do compared to a traditional groove around each hole, and the wire would need to be fitted very carefully where the ends butt up against the dividing wire.
 
monkihead

monkihead

driven to thrill
Jul 23, 2005
93
0
0
texas
IJ. said:
Sounds like a single wire that starts between the bores and does an S around 2 bores and joins back on itself.

Would take some trick machine work to do compared to a traditional groove around each hole, and the wire would need to be fitted very carefully where the ends butt up against the dividing wire.
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yes, sir you win the gold star. I hadn't realized that the machining would be difficult but it was in San Antonio. There are a few shops that can o-ring, but when I showed them the head, they said it couldn't be done. One of my customers referred me to another place I hadn't heard of. The owner had me leave the head and said he'd call me if he could do it. He had pics of his twin turbo'd vette out in the utah flats. He mentioned that he also used copper gaskets just like the one i had. I was a bit worried since he hadn't called till friday(dropped off on monday). it was beautiful. I could literally see myself on the surface. I had nearly wet myself.

its not a pure race car yet, as for tear downs I was actually hoping not as often(have become an honorary member of the BHG). My father has run iron block/aluminum head setup for a while with a copper gasket. He is n/a, but running 14-15:1 compression realm. If he can do it, I figured why can't I?

oh yeah, after a few more calls to sce(months ago)-they had recommended o-ringing the block and having the receiver groove on the head. the machinist recommended the same thing if I go more than 24psi of boost.
 
monkihead

monkihead

driven to thrill
Jul 23, 2005
93
0
0
texas
Okay, car is running and not smoking. However, shes just not running right. Starts up fine and revs with appropriate throttle response. when I go for a drive, it won't pass 4k rpm. in ANY gear. It feels strong from idle to 2500rpm. once it starts to boost power falls. I checked the TPS and the MAF-they both check fine according to TSRM. check engine light is on, only flashing my cold start temp sensor is bad(long story). I need the car, hate the idea of being on the bus. If I dare to, I can make it around town. But max out at 70-80mph in 5th. No boost leaks, stock boost level, new walbro 255lph in tank, stock ct-26, no vacuum leaks and does this while engine is cold or warm. Any ideas?
 
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shahee1

Newbie
Jul 6, 2006
2
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0
Hagerstown MD
My friend ran a copper head gasket on his high compression SC camaro and had no issues ... The are pretty much bullet proof in high boost apps ...
 
monkihead

monkihead

driven to thrill
Jul 23, 2005
93
0
0
texas
My father runs a performance shop, mainly for muscle cars. I've been working on getting more import parts in, but mainly name brands. I bought the gasket from one of his vendors.
 
monkihead

monkihead

driven to thrill
Jul 23, 2005
93
0
0
texas
Summit Racing sells them,
.043 thick ~ p/n 92104 ~ 115.00
.062 thick ~ p/n 92106 ~ 145.95

they have other thicknesses, but you have to call them. As it is, they're out of stock on the ones I listed.

*CAUTION!*
I followed their directions and they're recommended SPRAY ON gasket sealer for mine. Others on the board have a different opinion about spray on gasket sealers. My head has a connected o-ring S pattern, using ARP head studs. Only machinists that have the tools for this will know how to get it done. It took several calls and referrals to find this guy. SCE says I should be able to run up to 22psi of boost, way beyond the limits of my stock ct-26.
 
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